The 2008 Tige Pro-Am is just around the corner, and Tigé is upping the ante in an effort to draw some more attention to the inaugural event. With the number of riders that have landed a 1080 in practice closing in on a half a dozen, Tigé has put $10,080 on the line for the first rider to land three spins at the Tigé Pro-Am.
The potential for a five digit payday for an amateur rider that can pull of The Ten is huge. Sure, the likelihood that a local rider will land the elusive 1080 is small. It’s much more realistic to expect a Danny Harf or Rusty Malinoski to walk away with the big check, but even then, that’s quite a bonus for an afternoon of work.
If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, make plans to check out the Tigé Pro-Am at Blue Lake Park in Portland Oregon. It’s a great venue that was cut from the pro wakeboard tour this season for no apparent reason, and is a great place to watch a wakeboarding event.
Portland, Ore. — Tigé Boats has upped the ante at the 2008 Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink by adding the “Tigé $10,080 for a 1080” contest to the event. Tigé is offering the lucrative prize for riders who land the elusive 1080 trick during the contest slated June 20-22 at Blue Lake Park in Portland. This challenge marks the largest purse ever offered for landing the difficult trick, which has never been successfully performed in competition.
The Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, is one of the largest and most exciting action-sports events on the pro wakeboarding circuit. The three-day event will feature the world’s top pro and amateur wakeboarders and wakeskaters performing rail tricks and aerial stunts, while maneuvering on the water at a speed of approximately 25 mph.
The “Tigé $10,080 for a 1080” contest boosts the stakes at the event while pushing the world’s best riders to achieve new levels. The 1080 contest is open to the four riders that make it to the finals in the Pro Men’s division plus two wild card riders. The six competing riders will each have four attempts to land a 1080 and walk away with $10,080. Should more than one rider land the trick, the successful riders will split the prize.
The 1080 challenge is the latest contest innovation created by Tigé. In 2004 the Tigé U.S. Open Wakeboarding Championships introduced the first head-to-head rider elimination finals format. The following year Tigé developed the skins format during the Tigé Pro-Am. The “Tigé $10,080 for a 1080” contest represents a huge challenge to riders and a new level of excitement for spectators at the Portland event. Many wakeboarding fans may have only seen video of the 1080 trick being landed outside of competition by either Rusty Malinoski, Danny Harf or Bradley Smeele.
The Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink will feature nine divisions, including Pro Men, Pro Women, Jr. Men, Open Men, Amateur Boys and Amateur Women’s Wakeboarding, as well as Pro, Amateur and Women’s Wakeskating (like skateboarding on water).
The Tigé Pro-Am is a three-day-long carnival of water-sports action. But not all of the action takes place on the water. On land, fans will experience tons of great food and music; athlete autograph signings; chances to win free gear; and shopping at the most cutting-edge stores for water-sports equipment including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on all three days.
Tickets can be purchased at Blue Lake Park on June 20-22 for $10 (general admission), $5 (ages 6-12) or free (ages 5 and under). To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.kingofwake.com.
For more information, go to www.kingofwake.com.
