Kiwi takes honours at 2nd round Pro Tour of Wakeboarding
27th January 2004

Focus remains on rookie leading tour standings. New Zealand Born wakeboarder Jeff Weatherall of Auckland became the first international competitor to win a round of the Australian Pro Tour of Wakeboarding this weekend at the Empire Larger Freestyle Sports Expo at Mulwala NSW.

In flawless form, the Kiwi took the points over Round One winner, rising star Dean Smith (2nd) who remains to be the focus of the Tour leading the APTW Standings. Defending APTW champion Daniel Watkins took out third place.

A crowd of 7,000 spectators saw a display of the world's best wakeboarding at the Mulwala Waterski Club Twin Lakes with Weatherall performing an unbeatable two passes featuring a backside 540, Method Crow Mobe, Whirlybird 540, a transfer on the floating fun box and a backside 720 off the double up. Shocked by his win, Weatherall credited Smith and Watkins on the podium: "this was a tough win, with Dean riding really solid again this week and Watkins always there, I am just stoked that I could stand up my run"

Although Weatherall stole the show, the focus of the series continues to remain with the humble rookie Dean Smith who has been the talk of the wakeboarding world since claiming his first win last weekend. Silencing any critics who may have thought him a one comp wonder, Smith again took to the water in convincing form to prove last weekend's performance was no a freak occurrence. After falling on his first trick Smith regained composure to land a mobydick, tootsie roll, and a 720 off the double up to retain the first position on the Tour Standings.

Defending APTW champ Daniel Watkins was busy during the Empire Larger Freestyle Sports Expo not only taking third place but also challenging in the Multi sport Event, in the 50cc Racing. The Expo also included Freestyle Motocross, Barefoot Jumping, BMX Dirt Jumping Bull Riding and 50cc Racing.

The Series moves next weekend to Ride N Slide at Caribbean Gardens Melbourne where competitors will be challenge with a slider double up format.

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