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 Andrew Adkison is World Champion — Again! January 08, 2007 With the 2006 professional wakeboarding season officially wrapped up, all scores have been tallied to see who might be crowned this year’s King of the Wakeboarding World. And for the second time in three years, Andrew Adkison, who entered the 2006 season rejuvenated after breaking three bones in his lower back at the end of the 2005 season, has been crowned World Champion. From the get-go, it was apparent Adkison wanted to send a message he was back in action. With Adkison winning his first-ever first place spot at stop number one of the Mastercraft Pro Wakeboard Tour in Atlanta, the message was received loud and clear. Adkison went into stop number two in Minnesota as the number one seed and had another strong showing finishing on the podium in 3rd place after another battle with eventual PWT Champion Danny Harf. At the third stop in Kelowna, BC, Adkison somehow pulled off winning 5th place, even after breaking his board on a slider during his quarter final run. Andrew was once again in the four man semi-finals at the fourth stop in Portland where he was taken down in a close dual by eventual first place finisher Rusty Malinoski. Andrew went into the final stop of the Pro Tour in Reno just 20 points behind the points leader Danny Harf but after some bad water and a nasty fall, Andrew lost to last years Pro Tour champion Josh Sanders and ended the Pro Tour season in fourth place – a mere one point away from the podium. Regardless, Adkison continued his strong riding throughout the rest of season. Adkison finished on the podium at the 47th Annual Masters and from there, went to Paris for the World Cup where he once again finished in the top four. Adkison then traveled to the first annual Wake Games in Lake Elsinore, California, a new and unique event that included individual and team scoring. Adkison swept the event winning the Pro Men's Division and helping his team win the overall team title.
With the year ticking to a close, Adkison seemingly got stronger and arguably rode better then anyone at two of the biggest events of the year. Adkison pounded away at the wakes at the WWA National Championships and finished in second place barely being edged out by Tino Santori in one of the closest finals of the season. Adkison then headed to the WWA World Championships in Fort Worth, Texas and after battlling the elite field of riders and the gnarly wind conditions, he snagged a spot in the five-man final alongside Danny Harf, Rusty Malinoski, Shaun Murray and Tino Santori. Adkison decidedly grabbed on to this opportunity and ended up throwing down the best run of all, becoming only the third repeat World Champion along with Shaun Murray and Darin Shapiro.
With his throne re-gained, one thing is clear – Adkison has cemented his status as one of the best riders of all time. |
