Jeff Weatherall takes Wake Slam Jam Gold Medal

[NautiqueJeff]

Jeff Weatherall took out the Planet X Games Gold Medal today on Australia’s Gold Coast in front of huge crowd at the Planet X Braun Cruzer 3 Wake Slam Jam Wakeboard contest presented by Gold Coast Nautiques. Formerly of New Zealand, Weatherall lives on the Gold Coast and after a season of competing in events around the world he was stoked to pull a win in front of his friends and family.

For the first time ever the event ran a knockout head to head competition format which provided enthralling entertainment as the riders stepped up the level of competition as they progressed through the rounds. Dean Smith set the crowd alight early in the day with a massive 900 attempt off the Air Nautique 210 doubleup. Although he was unlucky not to ride away, this set the scene for the riding at the event and the huge event crowd was ready for more.

Jeff Weatherall beat another Gold Coast local and 2004 Wake Slam Jam Champion Daniel Watkins in a hotly contested semi final to advance to the final against Wagga Wagga’s Brett Eisenhauer. Watkins semi final run mixed it up with technical moves off the wake and sliders but he narrowly missed his signature double back roll off the doubleup.

Eisenhauer threw it all down in the final with a Pete Rose, S-Bend, huge OHH off the Double-Up and a rare and highly difficult Slim Chance 540 right in front of the dock to apply real pressure to Weatherall. In the last run of the day, Jeff pulled out all the stops with an amazing run including a Nuclear Tantrum to Blind, Crow Mobe 540, Whirlybird 540, backside 540, frontside 720 and a KGB off the Double-Up to take the Gold.

Results:

Gold – Jeff Weatherall – Gold Coast, Australia (New Zealand)
Silver – Brett Eisenhauer – Wagga Wagga, Australia
Bronze – Daniel Watkins – Gold Coast, Australia and Dean Smith – Cronulla, Australia

The festival event also included a display of Gold Coast Nautique towboats, Wakeboard shops, BMX stunt show and performances from local rock and hip hop acts.

The Wake Slam Jam will be back on the Gold Coast in February 2007 with even more festival activities, action sport displays and as voted by Australia’s wake.com.au members, the best wakeboarding contest in Australia!