Defending Tour Champion takes the lead in series standings

US riders dominate at 4th Round of Pro Tour of Wakeboarding

Two-time US National champion Shawn Watson became the first American to win a round of the Australian Pro Tour of Wakeboarding at the Australian Open on Saturday 14 February, the fourth round of the APTW held on the Shoal Haven River, Nowra. Watson's win meant a change in the lead of the current APTW series standings, with the consistent defending champion Daniel Watkins (QLD) now taking the overall lead going into the final event.

On choppy conditions under a darkening sky Watson turned it up for the crowd of 4500 who lined the shore, landing an Olay Indy 540, a boardslide to lipslide transfer 90 degree spin off, on the A-Fame, a switch boardslide 180 to nose press on the rainbow slider and a whirly bird on his way to taking the titles by a narrow margin in front of Shane Bonifay (USA) and defending tour Champion Daniel Watkins (QLD)

A regular on the World Cup and US Pro Tour, Watson is recognised to be one of the most progressive riders in the world and made a special trip to Australia to ride in the APTW. He and Bonifay are team members of the infamous Pointless Crew from Orlando who claimed first position at every single US Pro Tour event this year.

Watson explained his win as a surprise: "I didn't expect to win this, I am just really stoked just to be here riding on the Aussie Tour". Later he admitted that the level of riding on the APTW is as good as any contest in the world "the level of riding at this event is awesome anyone could have won"

Finishing in third place for the fourth consecutive event, Watkins now takes the lead in the tour standings coming into the last event. Unlike last year it will be a battle that comes down to the wire with five riders within mathematical striking distance of the tour title. "This is one of the closest series I can ever remember anywhere in the world. Next weekend is going to be big with five of us with a chance to win everyone will be laying it on the line, it's going to be really tight" Watkins explained.

Previous tour series leader, Kiwi Jeff Weatherall failed to make the finals for the first time this tour. The Series next moves on 29 February to Planet X Wake Slam Jam Final Results – Stop 4
1st Shawn Watson (USA)
2nd Shane Bonifay (USA)
3rd Daniel Watkins (QLD)
4th Brett Eisenhaur (NSW)
5th Daniel Pyne (QLD)
6th Josh Sanders (NSW)
7th Dean Smith (NSW)
8th Paul Boyd (NSW)
Series Standings
1st Daniel Watkins 260 Points
2nd Jeff Weatherall 250 Points
3rd Brett Eisenhauer 235 Points
4th Josh Sanders 225 Points
4th Dean Smith 225 Points
6th Shawn Watson 100 Points
7th Scotty Broome 98 Points
8th Travis Osbourne 97 Points

Australian Pro Tour of Wakeboarding (APTW) event stops: Stop 1 January 18 SA Wake Adelaide, Patawalonga Lake, Glenelg, SA
Stop 2 January 24 VIC Mulwala Freestyle Sports Expo, Mulwala, NSW/VIC Border
Stop 3 February 1 VIC Ride n Slide, Caribbean Gardens, Scorsbey, Melbourne, Vic
Stop 4 February 14 NSW Australian Open of Wakeboarding, Shoalhaven River, Nowra, NSW
Stop 5 February 29 QLD Planet X WakeSlamJam, Broadbeach, Gold Coast, QLD

For info, interviews & access to images & vision, contact: Mick Watkins - APTW Director - 0418 340 857 The Australian Pro Tour of Wakeboarding is a Wakeboarding Australia project. Check out the official APTW website at www.wakeboarding.com.au