Tour leader changes mid series for first time in local history

A new tour leader has emerged mid season on the Australian Pro Tour of Wakeboarding upon New Zealand-born wakeboarder Jeff Weatherall taking out the third round of the APTW 'Ride N Slide'. His two wins on consecutive weekends has resulted in Weatherall taking over the lead of the tour standing from NSW rookie Dean Smith, making it the first time the lead in the tour standing has changed hands in the series' history.

Drizzling conditions met competitors this weekend as the competition that is regarded the "most fun" of the series kicked off at Melbourne's Lake Caribbean in Scorsbey. The ground breaking Ride N slide format was set in a round lake consisted of 1 double up 2 wake tricks, an 18 meter A-frame, 10meter flat bar, kicker (jump ramp) and 18 meter long fun box, each of which results in the riders accumulating points.

Continuing his form from the previous weekend at Mulwala's Freestyle Festival, Weatherall threw down seven flawless slider tricks, toped by gapping the A-frame transition to backside lipslide, off axis backside three sixty off the kicker and double up, a transfer to backside lipside, a method crow mobe and backside 540 off the wake. Josh Sanders claimed second place with a run featuring a 313 off the double up and backside lipside transfer across the A-frame and event manager Daniel Watkins took third position with a slim chance off the kicker.

The weather failed to dampen the event with 3500 spectators turning out to cheer on the battle between US Pro Tour veterans and up and coming riders Mick Hankock (NSW) and Melbourne local Troy rocker who rode in their first ever finals appearance.

Whiz kid Dean Smith, who led the tour coming into the Ride N Slide event, finished in 11th position showing the emerging talent is yet to make sliders his forte.

The Series next moves on 14 February to The Australian Open of Wakeboarding at Nowra NSW .

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

More information is available from the official APTW website at www.wakeboarding.com.au