Loudon, TN (July 6, 2019) - Watts Bar Lake played host to an epic battle for the banjos at the WWA Malibu Factory Smoky Mountain Pro presented by Rockstar Energy. Friday’s quarterfinal rounds were on fire behind the Malibu M235 powered by the latest Malibu Monsoon Engine, bringing a certain intensity to the starting dock on Saturday morning. Fans filled in on the water and lined the shores of Malibu’s Loudon, TN facility as the riders hit the water to deliver the pinnacle of wakeboard competition to the hometown crowd. The ladies delivered performances of epic proportion, looking to see who would land on top of the podium at the very first WWA WBWS equal podium prize money event.

In the Pro Women’s division, Rockstar Energy athlete Zahra Kell (AUS) made history taking home the largest amount of prize money a female wakeboarder has ever received. Kell stomped two stand up passes that included a whirly bird in her first pass, to then officially lock up the top spot with one of the cleanest dum dums we’ve ever seen for a final score of 90.00. The second place spot went to Dallas Friday (USA) who looked so comfortable behind the Malibu M235 throwing a bat wing and T/S Off-Axis 540 for a score of 85.00. Rounding out the podium in third, Meagan Ethell (USA) threw down a super clean wrapped mute F/S 540 for 82.67 points.

“I’m super stoked that all of my hard work paid off this weekend, I was really happy with my run so to take the win felt that much better. It’s so awesome to be the first woman to grab the equal prize money with a first place finish! This has been such a great event, thanks so everyone who helped put it on!” said Rockstar athlete Zahra Kell.

The Pro Men’s division saw quite the shake-up with a series of events dictating a crazy final round. Another Rockstar athlete took the win today with Tony Iacconi (AUS) coming out on top for his first-ever Malibu Factory Pro win. Iacconi earned a 95.67 score starting off his run with an Indy Moby Dick to lay down a roast beef crow mobe 540 and a tail grab front blind mobe in his second pass. Harley Clifford (AUS) came out charging in the final round opening his run with his signature tail grab KGB to the flats for a second place score of 91.67. Malibu athlete, Massi Piffaretti (ITA) showed up displaying his unique Italian style with every trick, throwing his seatbelt to late tail grab tantrum to blind for a third place score of 90.00.

“It’s been nearly three years since I’ve won a Wakeboard World Series stop so I’m super happy to have taken the win today! Being third off the dock and watching all the boys throw down, I knew had my work cut for me and needed to give it my all out there. I’m just so stoked and I couldn’t be happier right now,” commented Rockstar athlete Tony Iacconi.“

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