WAW Oscars

As Hollywood celebrated all things ‘Women’ with Katherine Bigelow making history as the first woman to win a Best Director Oscar, we thought we’d have a slice of that action too. Presenting the WAW Wakeboarding Oscars. We pay tribute to the women who’ve left their mark on the 2009 wakeboarding season. Winners announced tomorrow.

Best UK Cable Wakeboarder – Nominees

Kirsteen Mitchell – exploding onto the competition scene winning the Sheffield 10 ft High Series, UK Cable Nationals and a silver at the Europeans with a near upset to World Champion Maxine Sapulette.

Steph Caller – consistently riding well, winning the WAW Wakestock Girls’ Rail Jam, coming second in the Cable Nationals and wining a bronze medal at the Europeans.

Tor Young – despite niggles from an old knee injury, Tor’s always a strong rider, gaining height and charge to all her tricks as the season progressed, winning Junior Ladies cable National Title, and a Bronze medal at Junior Ladies in the Europeans.

Sophie Cordery – a regular face on the competition circuit, Sophie showed off her increasing arsenal of tricks throughout the season, gaining third place at the Cable Nationals and wrapping up the season with a win in the Pro Ladies division at King of Cable

Best UK Boat Wakeboarder – Nominees

Charlotte Bryant – despite her season being cut short through injury, Charlotte demonstrated massive progress winning both the Junior and full Boat Nationals and the prestigious title of Wakestock 2009 Champion.

Jules Haley – Nobody has fun out on the water like Jules Hayley. Her infectious enthusiasm drove her to place third at the Boat Nationals.

Sam Filsell – the first Lady of Scottish wakeboarding has shown steady progress with her boat riding winning the overall Loch Stock tour 2009.

Steeze Award (chick with the best styleeeeee) – Nominees

Emily Bebbington – Getting the season off to a fantastic start, Emily won the WWA Rail Jam, beating veteran rail riders Maxine Sapulette and Kinga Horvath. She secured a bronze medal position at the Cable Nationals and placed fourth in the open rails division at Wake MK’s Summer Jam.

Sophie Cordery – killing the rails at the Wake MK Summer Jam, Sophie took the Pro Women title, and out styling all the competition at King of Cable.

Steph Caller – regular female guest rider at Animal Windfest, Steph grinds the rails with the best of the guys showing she’s got more style than she knows what to do with!

Chloe Goudie – at still only 14 Chloe demonstrates a natural flare and ease on the rails gaining her Silver medal in the Girls division at the Europeans.

Best International Wakeboarder – Nominees

Nicola Bulter – After an incredible 2008 season, she began 2009 winning the first stop on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, placing second at the 2009 WWA Wakeboard National Championships, the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour finale, and the WWA World Wakeboard Championships, and second in the Queen of Wake season standings

Dallas Friday – in her first full season since an horrific leg break, she returned fitter than ever to win the Wake Games, the USA Pro Tour, Queen of Wake and the World Championships.

Maxine Sapulette – landing S-bends on the cable as standard, Maxine has consistently raised the bar in women’s cable riding, winning the WWA World Wake Park title and the Europeans despite very difficult circumstances.

Raimi Merrit – claiming the title of first female to land an S-Bend on boat, Raimi’s proven to be quite a force with numerous wins including the World Cup in China.

Most Exciting Wakeboard Spot – Nominees

CWC
Hipnotics
Box End
JBski

Best Event – Nominees

Wakestock – Girls’ Rail Jam
Sheffield 10 Feet High Series
Loch Stock Tour
King of Cable

Future UK Star – Nominees

Laura Christian – in her first full season wakeboarding, Laura’s displayed true grit and determination to push her riding as far as possible.

Emily Heffernan – in her first full season, Emily’s taken her share of slams to progress from venturing towards the rails to, 540 spins and nailing big tantrums. This girl won’t stop till she gets the prize.

Abbie Jones – Abbie really pushed herself this year landing her heel 360’s consistently, tackling the rails and entering her first competition King of Cable.

Harriet Cole – progressing at a ferocious rate, Harriet’s thirst and natural aptitude to wakeboarding saw her progress from knee board to switch riding in two weeks! With dedication and commitment, she was tackling 360’s on the funbox only weeks after starting riding.

Most Inspirational Female – Nominees

Lesley Birch – after losing both her son Ryan and husband Tony in a tragic aircraft accident back in 2007, Lesley embraced her son’s passion for wakeboarding riding in her first competition at their memorial contest.

Danielle Crawford – the female face behind the WWA, Danielle Crawford is a driving force behind numerous global wakeboarding events helping push and progress the sport of wakeboarding.

Sue Boucher – there is not one excuse a woman can use to avoid wakeboarding that Sue Boucher doesn’t quash. This woman is simply incredible, she doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, doesn’t use the heat, the pain, her age, or what anyone will think to stop her setting her sights and giving it 100%. Sue exudes a feeling that every day you’re drawing breath should be an adventure.

Dallas Friday – every athlete has to fight for their position at the top, but Dallas displayed a fighting spirit like no other to come back from serious injury to stay at the top of her game. After suffering no less than nine spiral fractures to her left femur in 2006, new comer to the scene Nicola Butler cleaned up in her absence with an impressive new standard. 2009 was Dallas’ first full season back and not only was she riding fit again, but she won everything with an even higher standard of riding!

Best Contribution to women’s wakeboarding – Nominees

JBSki Ladies Morning
LDB Chicks sessions
WMSki Ladies Mornings
Box End Park Ladies Mornings

Tuesday 09 March 2010 | Permalink