Catch up on all the Red Bull WoS

Philippe — Mon, 23 May 2016 16:54:43 +0000

Here’s what happened when top wakeboarders hit up one of the sport’s toughest challenges in Austria.

What happens when you take 18 of the world’s best wakeboarders and let them ride an oversized rail-laden feature in the middle of a commercial harbour? The answer is simple: it’s Red Bull WoS (Red Bull Wake of Steel), and it’s unreal.

Starting things off under the moonlight

Daniel Fetz performing at the Red Bull Wake of Steel night session in Linz, Austria.© Philipp Greindl / Red Bull Content Pool

After many weeks constructing the one-of-a-kind feature, in Linz, Austria, and a few days of practice for the riders, the event kicked off on Friday evening with its first-ever Night Session. The riders then took to the water in a friendly “cash for tricks” competition, serving as a good warm-up for the riders and making for an amazing show for the crowd. The feature utilized a half-sunk cargo ship, and the resulting spectacle was nothing short of impressive.

And the winner of the Red Bull WoS is!

Daniel Grant performing at the Red Bull Wake of Steel 2016 in Linz, Austria.© Philipp Greindl / Red Bull Content Pool

Fast forward to Saturday and it was time to get serious. Everyone really gave it their all on the Wake of Steel set-up, and it wasn’t surprising to anyone to see Thai rider Daniel Grant end up on the highest step of the podium. Tao (his nickname, meaning turtle in Thai) showed once more why he is considered as one of the best – and arguably the best –wakeboarder in the world as he secured his third Red Bull Wake of Steel title. Style, amplitude and variety: no box is left unchecked on the judges’ sheets when Grant is on the water.

A stylish second-place performance

Ben Leclair of Canada performs at the Red Bull Wake of Steel in Linz, Austria on May 21, 2016© Sebastian Marko/Red Bull Content Pool

It was Canada’s Ben Leclair who took the second step of the podium. Ben is definitely a progressive rider, and he is well used to riding on all sorts of features. The French-Canadian wakeboarder rides a lot behind the winch, which means he can handle a variety of conditions, allowing him to adapt quickly to unusual features. Stylish and technical, he fully deserved the runner-up berth at this year’s Red Bull Wake of Steel.

Going big for third

James Windsor of Australia performs at the Red Bull Wake of Steel in Linz, Austria on May 20, 2016© Sebastian Marko/Red Bull Content Pool

The third step of the podium was occupied by a rider who really goes big, rides hard and doesn’t seem afraid of anything. James Windsor is no stranger to competitions, and despite being only 20 years old, he has accumulated a tonne of contest experience. The Australian shredder’s many hours of practice clearly paid off in Linz and his skills were clear to the many thousands of spectators at the event.

The results of the Red Bull WoS :

(L-R) Ben Leclair of Canada, Daniel Grant of Thailand and James Windsor of Australia celebrate at the Red Bull Wake of Steel in Linz, Austria on May 21, 2016© Sebastian Marko/Red Bull Content Pool

1. Daniel Grant (Thailand) 91.00 points
2. Ben LeClair (Canada) 87.00 points
3. James Windsor (Australia) 76.30 points
4. Julian Cohen (USA) 64.00 points
5. Szebsztian Szolath (Hungary) 60.70 points

Top-level riding, competitors from all around the globe, a prime location and a uniquely challenging feature: now that’s what we call a world-class event!

Article By Dominique Granger Redbull Media House/ 2016 May 23th

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