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PINE MOUNTAIN, GA (May 23, 2008) — The 49th Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament™ presented by Nautiques by Correct Craft began Friday at Callaway Gardens, in Pine Mountain, Georgia, with the 16th Junior Masters water ski and wakeboard elimination rounds. Today, Zack Worden set a new course record at 188 feet, six feet longer than the previous record held by Ryan Dodd since 2002. The top spot in female trick competition went to Olivia McDonald with 5950 points. Manon Costard placed second and Caroline Hensley claimed third for a chance to advance to the finals. Danielle Shipe and Manon Costard both tied for first place in slalom with a run of 4@35-off and Ambre Franc claimed third respectively. Danielle Shipe rocketed 138 feet for first place while Manon Costard claimed second and Haley Runion placed third, advancing to the finals.
Adam Pickos claimed the number one spot going into tomorrow’s finals with a score of 9080 points. Alexandre Poteau and Thibaut Dailland placed second and third respectively to advance to the finals. Zack Worden placed first in junior men slalom with a run of 2@38-off and Michael Mann took second while Brooks Wilson claimed third to advance to the finals. An exciting day for junior men’s jump, Zack Worden’s course record setting jump of a 188 feet qualified him for the finals and Canadian Alex Paradis took second. Sandro Ambrosi finished third with a jump of a 167 feet setting a pending jump record for Mexico.
Late junior women’s wakeboard qualifier, Anna Hajek, finished in first place with a score of 57.56 followed by Corrie Dyer and Meagan Ethell. In junior men’s wakeboarding, last year’s defending champion Jimmy LaRiche went big with a pro level run which was followed by Australian Harley Clifford and Robert Soven; all three are advancing to the finals.
The 49th Masters is produced by Nautiques by Correct Craft and officially sponsored by Acme Propellers, Callaway Gardens, Clarion, Mona Vie, PCM Marine Engines, Polk Audio, Trailer Boats and Zero Off. An invitation to compete in the annual Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament is universally considered an acknowledgement of achievement for reaching the pinnacle in a given watersports discipline – only the world’s most elite athletes compete at the Masters. This tournament is IWSF/USA Water Ski and WWA sanctioned. Prize monies, trophies, rings and special event awards total well over $135,000. To watch all of the live action at the 49th Masters, visit www.masterswaterski.com
