Colorado River News

JD Webb Takes His First-Ever Pro Tour Victory in Kelowna

Kelowna, BC (July 11, 2004) -- It was a day of firsts in Kelowna, British Columbia during the fourth stop on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour presented by Chevrolet and GM Vortec engines.

The Pro Tour's collaboration with the Extreme Sports Series Wakefest presented by Coors Light resulted in three first-time winners in the Pro Men, Junior Men and Wakeskate divisions.

Kelowna seems to be the proving ground for the Pro Tour's rising stars as rookie JD Webb found his way to the podium for the first time in his career, taking first place in the Pro Men's division.

Webb, the 2003 MasterCraft Junior X Series Champion made the jump to pro this year, but has not been able to overtake the Pro Tour's top talent so far. But, Webb proved to be up to the task in Kelowna, surviving three rounds of riding in Kelowna's rough conditions on Sunday to take home his first pro victory.

Last year in Kelowna rookie Tino Santori earned his first Pro Tour victory, making Lake Okanagan and Waterfront Park a lucky spot for rookies. First time winners are also a trend on the Pro Tour this year, Phillip Soven won for the first time in the last Pro Tour event in Reno, Nevada.

Danny Harf and Parks Bonifay rounded out the Pro Men's podium, finishing second and third respectively, and keeping the race for the Indmar Performance Award tight heading into the final event of the Pro Tour season next week in Irvine, California.

Webb was not the only first-time winner on Sunday, he was preceded by two other first-timers. Collin Wright earned his first-ever victory in the SeaDoo watercraft Pro Wakeskate Series on Sunday. Wright edged Danny Hampson and Brian Grubb who finished second and third respectively, to take home his first victory.

The third member of the first-timers club is Brett Lee who won his first event in the MasterCraft Junior X Series. Lee, a relative newcomer to the Junior X Series took first place over Junior Series veteran Scott Hopkins who won the Junior X event in Ft. Worth, in May. Derek Conway took third place on the day.

The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, presented by Chevrolet and GM Vortec Engines, is a five-event circuit organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Florida. Powered by Indmar Marine Engines, the Pro Tour has the support of the following: SeaDoo watercraft, Perfect Pass, Hyperlite, Liquid Force, Gator Boards, CWB, Jobe, Double-up, Blindside, JoyRide, O'Brien, Cassette Wakeskates, 484 Wakeskates, Billabong, Reef, Body Glove, UGP, Epiphone Guitars, OJ Props, Chipper Beef Jerky, Bare Wetsuits, buywake.com, Love Sac, Capix Helmets, Indo Boards, Straight Line, Nevin, ten-80, Toyo Tires, KMC Wheels, Verizon Wireless, Execute, Wakeworld, Wakeboarder, Monster Tower, Say I Won't and One Percent Design.

 ColoradoRiverInfo.com / News