2018 Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships - Miyoshi City, Tokushima (JPN) - Best of Day 1

Being crowned WWA World Champion is the ultimate career pinnacle of every athlete. On August 30th – September 2nd riders from more than 30 countries around the globe will have the honor to compete for a chance to make history at this monumental time for wake. With the world as their audience, a season of progression built from a lifetime on the water comes down to utilizing every second of every heat for these athletes. A world title is not the only item on the menu for the WWA Pro Men and Pro Women riders, as the WWA Wakeboard Worlds Series (WBWS) overall titles sit waiting to be claimed. Coming off an all-time performance at the Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships in Monroe, WA Meagan Ethell heads to Japan as the leading lady on the Pro Women’s WBWS leader board. A Nautique team athlete, Ethell continues to amaze and inspire the industry with every competition pass she takes. This season has been unlike anything we’ve seen from Ethell and with the current point spread, she simply needs to make it to the final round of the Wakeboard World Championships to earn her first WWA WBWS overall title. Number two ranked rider Nicola Butler hasn’t missed a final all season along with Zahra Kell at her heels in spot number three. Both riders have remained consistent, giving the rest of the field no room to make a mistake if they want to challenge the field. Dallas Friday is currently number four with no signs of slowing down. A more seasoned competitor to the sport and a fine-tuned competition pass in her back pocket, Friday remains a constant threat to those at the top.
The Pro Men’s WBWS race is heading into the World Championships ready to ignite. As with the Pro Women, the top three riders haven’t waivered since Stop #4 in Tennessee. The race was on for Stop #5 the Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, but once again the guy from down-under stole the title for another year in a row. Harley Clifford threw some of the biggest moves seen at WWA competition paired with double flips galore, keeping hold on the WWA WBWS top spot. Sitting in number two, and looking at that top spot with fire in his eyes, Cory Teunissen hasn’t stopped training since Washington and is ready to take the world stage. Holding down the third spot, Tony Iacconi has been incredibly consistent this season with every trick dialed in under his feet, continuing to make him a threat to win at every stop. There is a very high probability that he will put everything together for an overall WBWS podium finish this season, challenging those above him for the win. Nic Rapa sits in fourth on the rankings, with the composure and confidence to be another contender for a World title. Who will come out on top this week?