Soven Brothers Nearly Sweep – Phillip Soven Wins Wake Games Pro Title

Orlando, FL – The last time pro wakeboarders competed in Orlando was more than two years ago. Many things have changed since then, but one constant is Longwood native Phillip Soven coming up big at home. Soven did it again today at the finals of the Air Nautique Wake Games winning the title with a sensational run.

Soven, who won the last event here in 2005, topped an impressive final’s field including former World Champion Shaun Murray, pro tour winner Rusty Malinoski and rising star Adam Errington. With the win, Soven takes the early lead on the 2007 King of Wake series where a $25,000 bonus awaits the winner. The Wake Games, presented by RGX Body Spray powered by Right Guard, is the first of 10 events on the season-long series.

The Soven family also picked up another win today with Phillip’s younger brother, Jason, winning the Junior Boys division. It was almost a family sweep, but middle brother Robert just missed by one spot in the Junior Men’s division. Jimmy LaRiche, a star for the junior men, broke up the possible Soven sweep by beating Robert 75.00 to 66.67.

There was a major surprise today in the women’s pro division. Canada’s Sunni Anne Ball upset defending world champion Emily Copeland Durham beating her by just two points. Orlando’s Brian Grubb won the pro wakeskate division with impressive 81.67 topping his four-man final’s field. Amateur winners today included John Rodriguez (Men’s I), Ryan Jones (Men’s II), Jennifer GilanFarr (Amateur Women) and Jacob Valdez (Boys).

There also was a team competition for Wake Games with Team Murray winning, led by Orlando pro rider Shaun Murray, who finished third today.

Correct Craft is the official tow boat of the Wake Games. Nautique will be using a complete arsenal of their boats at the games. Celebrating more than 80 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a family-owned manufacturer of internationally acclaimed competition-caliber water-ski and wakeboard boats, as well as of boats for recreational enjoyment. Correct Craft Inc. is known for superior-quality products, cutting-edge technology and innovative hull designs.

The official magazine of the Air Nautique Wake Games is Wake Boarding, the premier publication for the sport. Wake Games also has the support of the following sponsors: presenting sponsor RGX Body Spray powered by Right Guard, Rip It Energy Fuel, the U.S. Air Force, Verizon Wireless, Fox, g3, Hyperlite Wakeboards, CWB, Gator Boards, Ronix, Reef, Oakley, OWC, Wakeworld.com and Wakeboarder.com, Orlando City Beat, O-Rock 105.9, and Southeast Correct Craft.

Final Results – Sunday, April 29, 2007

Men's Pro Finals

1 Phillip Soven USA 100.00

2 Adam Errington USA 88.50

3 Shaun Murray USA 81.50

4 Rusty Malinoski CDN 70.00

Women's Pro Finals

1Sunni Anne Ball CDN 57.skate

2Emily Copeland Durham USA 55.56

3Melissa Marquardt USA 47.skate

4Raequel Hoffman USA 39.44

Pro WakeSkate Finals

1 Brian Grubb USA 81.67

2 Reed Hansen USA 60.00

3 Brandon Thomas USA 51.67

4Nick Taylor USA 43.33

Junior Men (snow-wake) - Finals

1 Jimmy LaRiche USA 75.00

2 Robert Soven USA 66.67

3 AJ Racinelli USA 51.67

4 Julian Cohen USA 47.22

5 Danny Burnstein USA 40.00

6 Alex Scagliotti USA 36.67

Amateur Women - Finals

1 Jennifer GilanFarr 36.67

Junior Boys (9 and under) - Finals

1 Jason Soven USA 63.33

2 Noah Flegel USA 46.67

3 Nathaniel Worcester USA 30.00

Men's 2 (25-29) - Finals

1 Ryan Jones USA 56.67

2 Jesse Dunbar USA 45.00

3 Jojo Lemberg USA 28.33

Men's 1 (19-24) - Finals

1 John Rodriguez USA 53.33

2 Mitchell Hays USA 48.33

3 Lance Whitt USA 43.33

4 Fabian Ashley USA 33.89

5 Matt Bibby CAN 28.89

6 Nolan Hays USA 25.00

7 Samuel Cole USA 22.22

8 Jake Loken USA 16.67

Boys (10-13) - Finals

1 Jacob Valdez USA 66.67

2Paulie Koch USA 50.00

3Freddie Wayne USA 40.00

4Cooper Swink USA 26.67

Pro Men's Semifinals

Winner in each heat moves to finals

Heat 01

1 Adam Errington USA 95.00

2 Austin Hair USA 88.50

3 Shawn Watson USA 86.50

Heat 02

1 Phillip Soven USA 97.50

2 Daniel Watkins AUS 92.50

3 Dean Smith AUS 80.00

Heat 03

1 Rusty Malinoski CDN 100.00

2 Trevor Hansen USA 87.50

3 Shane Bonifay USA 82.50

Heat 04

1 Shaun Murray USA 100.00

2 Andrew Adkison USA 88.50

3 JD Webb USA 81.50