Deja Vu Team Rider Mitch Langfield Takes World Title

Five of the most talented pro male riders in the world hit the water of Sparks Marina today for the Pro Men division finals of the Rockstar WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra. All five riders were vying for the title of the world's best wakeboarder.

Rusty Malinoski, JD Webb, Erik Ruck, Phillip Soven and Shane Bonifay all gathered on the Supra towboat to ride along the shore and be recognized as the five finalists of the 2007 Wakeboard World Championships. After their introduction, the five shredders got down to business.

Bonifay and Ruck were the first two riders off the dock and both put up a valiant effort in the finals to earn fifth and fourth place respectively. Then Webb and Malinoski hit the water. Malinoski had a great run, but Webb had the more impressive finish to take second place. Although Webb had an amazing run, ultimately, Phillip Soven (Longwood, FL), 18, took the top spot and claimed his second world title.

"I'm stoked about this win, it's such a great honor to be recognized as a world champion," said Soven. "I've had such a great year this season and to add a world title onto it makes it so much sweeter."

All eyes today were on Dallas Friday as the most decorated female rider in the world chased after her fourth consecutive world title. However, Supra team rider Amber Wing (Yowie Bay, Australia), 24, pulled off the upset to capture the 2007 world title. Friday finished behind Wing, while Nicola Butler of the United Kingdom took third place.

2007 is clearly Reed Hansen's year. The 17-year-old pro wakeskater out of Groveland, Florida captured the U.S. National Championship earlier this season and claimed the '07 World title during today's finals.

The Jr. Men's Division has a new world champion, Mitch Langfield. Langfield (Narangba, Australia), 16, beat out five other riders to claim his new title.

Shawna Hoffman (Butte Valley, CA), 15, took the top spot during today's Jr. Women's Wakeboard Division finals to take home the world title.

The Boys Division hit the water today for their finals with Harley Clifford (Medowie, Australia), 13, claiming the world title.

Jason Soven (Longwood, FL), 10, took home the world title for Jr. Boys Division.

Pro Men Finals
1. Phillip Soven (USA) - 95.00
2. JD Webb (USA) - 92.50
3. Rusty Malinoski (CAN) - 77.50
4. Erik Ruck (USA) - 75.00
5. Shane Bonifay (USA) - 60.00

Pro Women Finals
1. Amber Wing (AUS) - 60.56
2. Dallas Friday (USA) - 50.00
3. Nicola Butler (UK) - 46.11
4. Hayley Smith (AUS) - 44.44
5. Emily Copeland Durham (USA) - 41.67
6. Laura Lohrmann (USA) - 33.33

Pro Wakeskate Finals
1. Reed Hansen (USA) - 58.33
2. Ben Kaiser (USA) - 43.33
3. Steven Campbell (USA) - 36.67
4. Brian Grubb (USA) - 30.00

Junior Men (14-18) Finals
1. Mitchell Langfield (AUS) - 70.00
2. Jimmy LaRiche (USA) - 64.44
3. A.J Racinelli (USA) - 47.78
4. Joshua Chabator (USA) - 46.11
5. Jarrod Askew (AUS) - 31.67
6. Raphael Derome (CAN) - 30.56

Junior Boys (9 and under) Finals
1. Jason Soven (USA) - 52.22
2. Cory Teunissen (AUS) - 32.22
3. Noah Flegel (USA) - 10.00

Boys (10-13) Finals
1. Harley Clifford (AUS) - 67.22
2. Jacob Valdez (USA) - 59.44
3. Daniel Powers (USA) - 53.89
4. Mark McMorris (CAN) - 46.11
5. Mitchell Askew (AUS) - 32.22
6. Michael Dowdy (USA) - 31.11

Jr. Women Wakeboard Finals
1. Shawna Hoffman (USA) - 45.00
2. Holland Finley (USA) - 39.44
3. Danni Petraitis (USA) - 28.89