The 2017 Malibu Evolution Pro Series concluded on Lake Biwa, Japan, which is considered the birthplace of wake in that country. Located just outside Kyoto, the historic capital of Japan, the seemingly mystic waters of Lake Biwa are storied in history, from the inception of the Japanese wakeboard movement to famous waterfront shrines featured in wakeboard magazines around the world.

Malibu’s exclusive Japanese dealer, Tasker Marine, provided a brand new 2018 Malibu M235, complete with the new Cherry Wine metallic gel flake that give the already premium boat even more style. Heralded as the world’s foremost ultrapremium wakeboard and wakesurf towboat, the M235 is specifically designed to deliver world-class wakes and waves.

With the industry’s highest performing and most luxurious watersports towboat guaranteed to deliver the world’s biggest, most-optimally shaped wakes, it was up to the athletes to deliver dominating performances to punctuate the 2017 season.

Malibu’s global athlete team was well represented with American Tarah Mikacich looking to make an overall Evolution Pro Series podium. She was joined at Lake Biwa by Canada’s Oli and Raph Derome, Japan’s Toshiki Yasui, South Korea’s Sanghyun “Russell” Yun and Italy’s Massi Piffaretti. Competing in just his second pro event, after Vienna Pro, Yun was on fire all weekend, landing stellar runs while impressing judges, fans and fellow competitors.

Entering the final day of competition, the M235’s massive, reliable wake helped riders land their tricks despite brisk winds from a nearby typhoon.

“While the wind made the conditions less than ideal, it was a relief to know that we could count on the M235 to create big, solid wakes,” said Malibu Team Rider and Lake Biwa Pro finalist Raph Derome.

In the end, Malibu’s Tarah Mikacich took the second spot for the Malibu Evolution Series Overall, making it the second consecutive year her dedication to training behind the 25 LSV at Freedom Wake Park in Orlando, Fla., has delivered world-class results.