After four months, five rounds and 31 head-to-head match-ups, crowning the 2014 GOODE Bracket Challenge champion came down to the very last pass as the finals took place last week in Ogden, Utah.
On the line were bragging rights among some of the best 34 mph skiers in the world, as well as a potential $5,000 prize for one lucky fan whose bracket still had a chance at being perfect.
To see all of the action unfold (and some amazing skiing), view the above 12-minute, broadcast-style video.
Or, skip straight to an article featuring the final results.
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Michael Robinson didn’t know it at the time, but as the first day of the GOODE Bracket Challenge Finals ended in Ogden, Utah, his odds of winning the $5,000 perfect bracket grand prize had just improved dramatically.
Jeremy Newby-Ricci had just topped Chad Scott, while Dave Miller had taken out Jay Leach to advance to a finals match up with Jeremy; just as Michael, a Men’s 5 skier from South Carolina, had predicted when he filled out his bracket in May.
As day two of the Finals began, all Michael needed to pocket five thousand large ones was his pick to win it all – Jeremy – beating Dave in the head-to-head.
“I really wanted to win the tournament because the competition was so tough and the format was a lot of fun,” said Jeremy, who’d done the math on his own and knew that the perfect bracket rested on his shoulders. “But I have to say that knowing I’d either make or break a fan’s bracket put a little bit of extra pressure on me. I didn’t want to be the reason that someone missed out on that kind of money.”
In the end, Michael’s intuition in May held true in September as Jeremy posted a huge score of 3 buoys at 41 off to edge Dave’s 1.5 buoys at the same line length (for more details on the on-the-water competition, view the video here).
“No way, are you serious?” asked a stunned Michael when GOODE Skis president and founder Dave Goode called him from the lake to tell him he’d won $5,000.
At first thinking he had no chance of scoring the perfect bracket, Michael’s interest and optimism understandably increased with each round.
“I watched kinda casually through the Sweet 16,” said Michael, whose fan contest name was Summer skiOFF, “but I really started to pay attention with the Elite Eight. Even then I thought it was a long shot so I didn’t really talk about it too much, except with my wife Terri.”
So how did he pick Jeremy to win it all, and eschew the most popular fan pick, 2013 Bracket Challenge Champion Regina Jaquess?
“I saw Jeremy ski at the 2013 Big Dawg finals and was obviously impressed,” said Michael, himself the 2012 Men’s 4 U.S. national champion. “I knew he was a very accomplished skier and when you watch him ski he just gets it done. I actually saw him at Nationals this year and told him I picked him to win it all and wished him luck.”
Asked what he was going to do with the $5,000, Michael said that since learning about his newfound largess he and his wife have been able to pull the trigger on a trip to the Bahamas this December to celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary.
On-the-water competition
While money was at stake in the online fan contest, pride was the prize in the actual, on-the-water Bracket Challenge.
In the Final Four, No. 1 seed Jeremy faced off against No. 5 Chad, while the other side of the frame featured No. 2 Jay vs. No. 3 Dave.
Both Chad and Jay, southern fellas that they are, struggled a bit early on in the cooler water temperature, something that Jeremy and Dave, who hail from England and Canada respectively, weren’t fazed by. Chad and Jay recovered though in the 3rd/4th place match-up, both running into 41 off with Jay edging Chad for third place by a buoy with 1 at 41 off.
In the final round, Jeremy stayed true to his No. 1 seed and beat Dave, 3 buoys to 1.5 at 41 off.
Vonore, TN“MasterCraft thanks the team at World Sports for over 25 years of making the Pro Tour such a highly regarded event,” said Aarne Clow, MasterCraft team and event manager. “Despite our wonderful history, there have been so many changes to the wake scene over the last few years that have resulted in the slow decline of attendance and participation, we felt it was the right time to go back to the drawing board, work with our team of world class athletes and deliver a different experience for 2015 and beyond.”
While details of MasterCraft’s forthcoming event is still under lock and key, its goal remains to bring a premium experience that progresses and exposes the sport, improves the life of the athlete and rejuvenates the fans of wake sports. More information will be coming out in the early spring of 2015.
Come try HO Skis all new Syndicate V-TYPE ski for FREE on Sat, Sept 13th from 8:30-2:00pm at Bell Acqua Lake 1. This is your opportunity to test out the highly anticipated V-TYPE alongside it's designers, Brand Manager Dave Wingerter, Waterski Legend and Master-shaper Bob LaPoint, and top pros Will Asher and Jon Travers.
Signup will be held on Friday, Sept 12th in the HO Skis booth at the California Pro-Am. Sign up early, as spots are limited. This is an absolutely FREE demo including ski, optional boots, boat and gas all provided. A Nautique 200 will be provided by Superior Boat Repair & Sales, and will be driven by a rated driver.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (September 5, 2014) – The Sacramento region will serve once again as host to the largest professional slalom water ski event in the U.S. when the California Waterski Pro Am (formerly the Diablo Shores Pro Am) takes place September 12 – 14, 2014 at Bell Acqua Lake in Rio Linda. The tournament will feature nine of the top 10 International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) ranked men’s skiers and five of the top 10 women’s ranked skiers including Nate Smith, Thomas Degasperi, Will Asher, Regina Jaquess and Whitney McClintock. “Once again, I am honored by the level of talent this tournament will feature including nine of the top 10 men’s skiers in the world,” said tournament founder and organizer, Greg Badal. “This year’s tournament provides the opportunity to witness Women’s World Record Holder Jaquess win for the third year in a row. In the past, this tournament has provided epic competitions with near perfect conditions that make it ideal for world records. We expect the same this year with Nate Smith returning to retain his title.” The California Waterski Pro Am will be hosted on Lake #2 at Bell Acqua in Rio Linda, approximately 12 miles from downtown Sacramento. The three-day tournament offers free admission for spectators along with activities for the entire family ranging from a children’s jump house to displays of the newest competition ski boats. Men’s and women’s amateur skiers from Canada and the Western United States will compete on Friday starting at 8 a.m. PST. Saturday’s competition will begin at 8 a.m. PST and feature Open Men’s, Masters and Open Women’s skiers. Sunday’s activities will culminate with the Open Men’s and Women’s Finals from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. PST. A live WebCast TV of the tournament may be viewed on CaliforniaProAm.com and scoring posted live on Twitter at @waterskiproam. Additionally, Finals will be broadcast live Sunday 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in Sacramento County on Comcast & Consolidated Communications (SureWest) cable channel 17 and on AT&T U-Verse from Modesto to Yuba City on Channel 99. This is the second year the tournament has taken place in the Sacramento region. The competition will feature local talent Brian Detrick of Elk Grove (USA, ranked #9) and Terry Winter of Sacramento (USA, ranked #17). Bell Acqua has long been synonymous with water skiing since its creation in 1978 as the first tri-lake professional water ski tournament community in California. It has served as the site to numerous world records and host to prestigious water ski tournaments including the 1990 Water Ski National Championships and most recently the 2011 and 2012 Western Regional Championships. Bell Acqua’s Lake #1 has served as the practice site for water ski legends Bob and Chris La Point, internationally ranked Sacramento skier Terry Winter, as well as Sacramento State and UC Davis water ski teams. IWWF ranked men’s water skiers competing: Will Asher (GBR, ranked #3), Thomas Degasperi (ITA, ranked #2), Brian Detrick (USA, ranked #9), Chris Parrish (USA, ranked #7), Nick Parsons (USA, ranked #8), Nate Smith (USA, ranked #1), Jon Travers (USA, ranked #5), Freddie Winter (GBR, ranked #6). IWWF ranked women’s water skiers competing: Regina Jaquess (USA, ranked #1), Genna Krueger (GER, ranked #7), Whitney McClintock (CAN, ranked #2), Karina Nowlan (GBR, ranked #10) and Karen Truelove (USA, ranked #5). For a complete line-up, scores and a live WebCast TV, visit CaliforniaProAm.com. Spectators and fans may also follow updates and scores via Twitter at @waterskiproam.
Media Note:Competitors will be available for interviews and practice runs at Bell Acqua Lake #2 on Thursday, September 11 in the afternoon. For media inquiries including interview requests or boat ride-alongs, please contact Brian Detrick at (916) 710-4493 or Erika Bjork at (916) 606-4554.
USA Water Ski, Nautique and CBS are pleased to announce the 21st Nautique U.S. Open Water Ski Championships will be held Oct. 24-25 in central Florida. The world's top water ski athletes will compete for cash prizes and respective titles in men's and women's slalom, tricks and jumping in the heart of the water sports capital of the world. The world-record capability preliminary round will take place Friday, Oct. 24 at Lake Grew %E2%80%93 adjacent to USA Water Ski headquarters and the USA Water Ski Foundation's Water Ski Hall of Fame & Museum %E2%80%93 in Polk City, Fla. The finals will be held Saturday, Oct. 25 at downtown Orlando's famed Lake Ivanhoe.
" nautique and usa water ski have been partners for the better part of four decades said bob crowley executive director ski. able to add this relationship with such an iconic event as u.s. open in our own backyard is simply a perfect fit. we are really looking forward embracing entire community open.>
Re-igniting the future of one of water skiing's most coveted titles, Nautique – which committed to a three-year title sponsorship agreement – and CBS aim to engage the water ski community back to its roots, and deliver an all-inclusive, world-class, three-event water ski competition and cultural festival. Spectators for the finals in downtown Orlando will enjoy an interactive social experience featuring more than 20 exhibits, autograph signings, DJs, guest emcees, and prize giveaways.
It marks the first time since 2007 that the U.S. Open will take place, and it comes as USA Water Ski celebrates its 75th Anniversary. As part of the year-long 75th Anniversary celebration, and in making this the fall season's ultimate water sports weekend, the USA Water Ski Foundation – which raises funds to preserve and celebrate the history of all towed water sports – also will host its annual Ski with the Legends event – featuring some of the competing U.S. Open athletes, including world jumping champion and record-holder Freddy Krueger and world slalom champion and record-holder Nate Smith – on Saturday and Sunday at Lake Grew.
"This is a big moment for Nautique and the Nautique U.S. Open," said Bill Yeargin, president/CEO of Nautique Boat Company. "The U.S. Open has been sidelined for the past seven years and we are excited to bring it back! Adding more excitement, the winners of each discipline will receive an invitation to the world's most prestigious water sports event, the 2015 Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament, held at Callaway Gardens over the Memorial Day Weekend."
A live webcast of the Nautique U.S. Open will be available at www.nautique.com. A detailed schedule of events, athlete qualifications and entry information, and additional information about the Ski with the Legends will be available shortly at www.USAWATERSKI.org.
ORLANDO, FL (
Re-igniting the future of one of water skiing's most coveted titles, Nautique and CBS aim to engage the water ski community back to its roots, and deliver an all-inclusive, world-class, three-event water ski competition and cultural festival.
The 21st Nautique U.S. Open of Water Skiing will be headlined by the world’s best men and women three-event athletes, including current World Record holders and Team Nautique athletes Nate Smith and Erika Lang. This event will be held at Lake Ivanhoe attracting thousands of spectators, and showcase a 10-acre retail and brand experience. The Nautique U.S. Open spectators will enjoy an interactive festival featuring exhibitors, autograph signings, DJs, and prize giveaways.
“This is a big moment for Nautique and the Nautique U.S. Open of Water Skiing. The U.S. Open has been sidelined for the past seven years and we are excited to bring it back!” stated Bill Yeargin, President/CEO of Nautique Boat Company. “Adding more excitement, the winners of each discipline will receive an invitation to the world’s most prestigious watersports event, the 2015 Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament, held at Callaway Gardens over the Memorial Day Weekend” added Yeargin.
“Nautique and USA Water Ski have been partners for decades. Being able to add to this relationship with such an iconic event in our own backyard is simply a perfect fit,” commented Bob Crowley, USA Water Skis’ Executive Director. “We are really looking forward to embracing the entire water ski industry with the Nautique U.S. Open. This will offer us one of the most powerful events to share our spirit of water skiing with thousands of people,” added Crowley.
The Nautique U.S. Open of Water Skiing will be the fall’s biggest watersports event/festival as the finals return to the “Watersports Capital of the World” Orlando, FL on October 25th. The live webcast and consumer information will be available athttp://www.nautique.com/events/view/nautique-u-s-open-of-water-skiing.
Nautique Boat Company, Inc.
Celebrating 90 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is the owner of Nautique Boat Company, Inc. and Aktion Parks. Nautique manufactures the highest quality, most innovative ski and wake-sports boats available worldwide and provides exceptional customer service experiences. To learn more about Nautique and its complete product line, visit www.nautique.com. To learn more about Aktion Parks visit www.aktionparks.com.
Find us at:
www.Facebook.com/NautiqueBoats • www.Twitter.com/NautiqueBoats, www.Instagram.com/NautiqueBoats • www.YouTube.com/Nautiquesdotcom
Orlando Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram
Orlando Dodge Chrysler Jeep was founded here in Orlando in 1976 by Harvey and Roberta Smith. The Smith family has been serving Central Florida’s transportation needs for nearly four decades. Harvey’s legacy lives on with his sons Mike and Stew who have been providing sales and service of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and quality pre-owned vehicles since opening the doors here in Orlando. State of the art equipment, spacious facility, trained personnel, extended hours and commitment to excellence makes Orlando Dodge Chrysler Jeep the preferred automotive location for all of Central Florida. The entire Team at Orlando Dodge Chrysler Jeep is proud to sponsor the U.S. Open of Water Skiing!
USA Water Ski
USA Water Ski was formed in 1939 as a non-profit organization promoting water skiing in the United States. Based in Polk City, Fla., USA Water Ski is affiliated with the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (world governing body) and is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and Pan-American Sports Organization as the national governing body of organized water skiing and wakeboarding in the United States. With more than 16,000 members, USA Water Ski is the largest water ski and wakeboard federation in the world.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Terri Schneider – Senior Marketing and Communications
Coordinator, Nautique Boat Company
(407) 956-6404 • tschneider@nautique.com
Casey Mommer – Executive, CBS Orlando
(319) 601-9116 • casey.mommer@cbsradio.com
Scott Atkinson – Director & Editor/Publisher of The Water Skier, USA Water Ski
(863) 874-5682 • satkinson@usawaterski.org
Krista Rogers – Director of Marketing and Partnerships, USA Water Ski
(863) 874-5683 • krogers@usawaterski.org
ORLANDO, FLA (www.nautique.com.
For 2015 the Nautique product line has been enhanced with the advanced throttle control, new metal flake colors, anthracite finished windshield and tower accessories, new optional stereo zone control, and much more. In addition, the Coastal Edition has been improved and features coastal tower speakers, water management system and improved rotating wakeboard and wakesurf racks.
This year’s Nautique website continues the fresh, clean look with mobile device integration while enjoying optimized, full-screen video viewing, optional high definition and social media sharing options. The industry’s leading web based boat builder Design Your Nautique section has been redesigned this year in HTML5 for viewing on any browser from you laptop, tablet or smart phone. This year the DYN features a more intuitive layout while still offering five detailed views, the ability to save your boats, add to the community, send to your local dealer and much more. Consumers can customize their boat of choice at www.designyournautique.com.
“Our goal at Nautique is continual improvement and that will be obvious as people check out our 2015 product and new website,” stated Nautique’s President/CEO Bill Yeargin. “The past couple of years Nautique has won our industry’s top awards including Manufacturer of the Year, Boat of the Year, Most Innovative Product and many others. We are happy to be able to build on our success with our 2015 product and website,” added Yeargin.
To experience everything Nautique has to offer for 2015, visit nautique.com.
Celebrating 90 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is the owner of Nautique Boat Company, Inc. and Aktion Parks. Nautique manufactures the highest quality, most innovative ski and wake-sports boats available worldwide and provides exceptional customer service experiences. To learn more about Nautique and its complete product line, visit www.nautique.com. To learn more about Aktion Parks visit www.aktionparks.com.
