So the end is here all the hard work is over. White Rose waterski club in Elland near Brighouse were the fantastic host site for this 6th and final stop. Over the course of the season we have seen over 70 people compete in 8 divisions and what a tour it has been.
Friday we saw Stu Mackie running a coaching clinic at the site in what can only be described as torrential conditions. So with thoughts on the event and no hope of better weather we were all pleasantly surprised when arriving Saturday morning to see the sun trying to burn through the sky.
Quickly set up and on with the show. 42 riders were entered so another long day loomed.
Once again though the riding went on and on. With only a practice pass to each rider we got through everyone in record time and managed to even squeeze in a sandwich stop for the crew!
At 3.00 pm with the sun blazing down we started the competition with the junior girls. Megan Barker who has really been the youngster to win this year was once again up against Jessica Howard who beat her at her home stop of Billabong, but Megan was determined to get top spot, even though already crowned Junior Ladies Champion!
Junior men division 2 once again saw Charlie Long already crowned champion, looking favourite, but with a great selection of grabs and spins outsider George Daly of Treeton took gold with Quayside ripper Harry Byrne in 2nd place.
Ladies and a full division of 6 riders saw last seasons winner Zoe Costigan once again defeated into 2nd place by Welsh rider Katy Booth, a newcomer from the Rock the River stop we had managed to convince to travel to Yorkshire. Laura Blisset did not have her best run and came in 5th but still takes the overall tour title, so well done Laura, who has been totally awesome all season!
After a quick break for fuel and ballast it was the masters turn.
This division as been the closest fought all year, with 4 people in with a chance of the title. Current leader Simon Hogg was absent from this stop leaving the way paved for someone to take his gold, who would it be?
Mr consistency himself Mike Cook had an average run for him and maybe let the pressure get to him, but a podium finish was secured. Billy Clough who has stormed up the league in the final 4 stops just missed out on Gold having to be content with silver, and story of the day was the final return to form for last seasons overall champion Mike Heaton. Mike has struggled all season to impress the judges and as such was the rank outsider going into todays final. But with a superb run sticking a tantrum and lots of varied grabs and spins he managed to take Gold on the day.
Junior men division 1 is what some call the most talented division, with Elliot Lux and Jorge Gill been head to head for top spot and only one point in it, it was always going to be fierce. Unfortunately the week before had seen Elliot have an unfortunate incident with a moped resulting in broken toes, battered fingers and bruised ego. However having convince mum Mags to hold his foot together with duck tape and plenty of pain killers, Elliot went out and stomped a fantastic set including Tantrum, Scarecrow, Back Roll, and Raley to throw the gauntlet down to Jorge. Jorge went out and just didn’t seem to be able to make it click on the day, just falling short of Elliots score!
Meanwhile over the course of the year a mini battle had been going on with Oliver Akid and Adam Grundy for third place. Each one wanting to be the first to land a back roll in competition. Adam went out and concentrated on a superb pass, showing some of the most stylish riding on the tour, going big and showing a multitude of stylish tweaks and grabs.
So at around 5.00pm it was time for the open men, Nick Horsfall was already crowned champion, but the fight was on for 2nd place. Nick Berrie was absent which meant it would be between Chris Berrie and last years runner up Adam Oldfield. White Rose saw a welcome return for Lee Doyle who started the season with so much promise to find himself injured after the second stop. So with no real chance of making the top 3 overall he was here for the day and to get back on the scene, however during his practice set he tweaked the injured knee, but was determined to grab some points and rode strapped up in the comp. Fair play Lee.
The weather for the Open men had decided to throw it down but it was great to see them staying out in the wet supporting each other on. Newcomer to the tour Kurt Graham had a wicked set to guarantee a podium place, then all that was left was the Outlaw battle, Andy Harris versus Carlos Fandango.
Both guys went out and rode awesome but with more tricks thrown in and an ecstatic crowd watching Andy Harris just pipped it. Making it a dead heat on the tour!
The prize giving and thank yous were carried out in the dry of the marquee and thanks must go to White Rose who did a sterling job in hosting the event. The catering team of David, Sue, Sue and Shirley. Brian Rook and Mike Clarke for once again doing all the driving and of course to Stu Mackie and Graham Creedy who have been involved through out the tour! Perry Lux, Tim Nixon and Pete Watson for roping and photography.
It was announced about the finals dinner which will take place on the 8th of November. Anyone wishing to attend needs to purchase their tickets from MasterCraft GB price and venue to be confirmed, but rest assured were sure the night will be huge. With the final playoff between Andy Harris and Carlos Fandango taking place that evening!
So we will see you there!
Full Final Stop Results
Junior Ladies
1st Megan Barker 10 points
2nd Jessica Howard 9 points
3rd Lauren Grundy 8 Points
4th Tabz Nixon 7 Points
5th Charlotte Howard 6 Points
6th Emily Long 5 points
7th Eve Hogg 4 points
8th Chelsea Waring 3 points
9th Victoria Field 2 points
Junior Men Div 2
1st George Daly 10 points
2nd Harry Byrne 9 points
3rd Charlie Long 8 points
4th Jack Wright 7 points
5th Ben Edwards 6 points
6th James Cook 5 points
Ladies Division
1st Katy Booth 10 points
2nd Zoe Costigan 9 points
3rd Rachel Clarke 8 points
4th Danielle Thompson 7 points
5th Laura Blissett 6 points
6th Gemma Cook 5 points
Masters
1st Mike Heaton 10 points
2nd Billy Clough 9 points
3rd Mike Cook 8 points
4th Mark Dodgeson 7 points
5th Andrew Crolla 6 points
6th Steve Thompson 5 points
Open Men
1st Adam Oldfield 10 points
2nd Kurt Graham 9 points
3rd Nick Horsfall 8 points
4th Dan Plumtree 7 points
5th Chris Berrie 6 points
6th Ryan Davies 5 points
7th Lee Doyle 4 points
Outlaws
1st Andy Harris
2nd Carlos Fandango
