WELCOME TO THE FLYBOARD WORLD CUP 2013

All the action from the 2013 Flyboard World Championship lives here!

2013 FLYBOARD WORLD CUP VIDEOS

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H2RO Magazine continues to share complete video coverage of each of the top Pro Flyboarders who competed in Qatar. Click on the flyers name to view all of their competitive runs from the 2013 Flyboard World Cup:

1) SUKSAN TONGTHAI (THAILAND)
2) COOPER RIGGS (USA)
3) BEN MERRELL (USA)
4) DAMONE RIPPY (USA)
5) CALEB GAVIC (USA)
6) AARON GOULD (USA)
7) STÉPHANE PRAYAS (FRANCE)
8) ARNOUD STOPPELS (HOLLAND)
9) JORDAN WAYMENT (USA)

 

…AND THE WINNER IS?

2013 WORLD CHAMPION –  SUKSAN TONGTHAI (THAILAND)

2ND – COOPER RIGGS (USA)

3RD – BEN MERRELL (USA)

4TH – DAMONE RIPPY (USA)

 

 

LIVE FROM THE FLYBOARD WORLD CUP THANKS TO FLYBOARD MALTA (like them on Facebook!)
Photos and video highlights to come after the qualifying run.

H2RO Magazine is in Doha, Qatar covering all the incredible flying for you. We will be posting results, photos and videos throughout the Flyboard World Cup 2013. We will also be sharing great video footage via the live stream and after the event once we have time to transfer, edit and upload!

Share this page with your friends and fellow Flyboard enthusiasts as it will be the next best thing to being there.

 

All times are local for Doha, Qatar.

Flyboard World Cup News

• Thanks to Flyboard Malta for hooking H2RO up with a live stream of the event! Like them on Facebook
• Upcoming interviews with Pro Flyboarders: Damone Rippy, Jake Orel, Jordan Finley (and more…)
• H2RO Exclusive Interview with Franky Zapata coming soon and Flyboard Show manager Stéphane Denis hinted that they have a few very special things to share at this year’s World Cup Finale… stay tuned.
• Bo Krook is nursing an ankle injury which may affect his performance in Qatar. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope he can rise above!
• Top female Stephanie Wells will not be competing in 2013.
• 73 Flyboarder competitors listed in the event program.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS:

Flyboard Press Conference

Daniel Kaufman (Flyboard Canada and MC for the event) interviews competitor Lindsay McQueen (he’s got a new dolphin dive to show us!)

QUALIFICATION ROUND

SUMMARY

Thailand and the USA impress and Bo Krook is tougher than the rest! Great flying, a little controversy and a lot of drama made up Day 1 during Qualifying runs here in Doha, Qatar. The 2013 Flyboard World Cup is underway and we saw a little bit of everything today. Many riders were flying with the dual impeller for the first time and so had to re-learn their routines on the fly with this increased power. Aaron Gould was disappointed with his run which has him in 11th place but his standards are incredibly high as it was still chocked full of impressive combinations and big tricks. Bo Krook (18th) has torn muscles in his left ankle and FM spoke with Bo prior to qualifying starting and thought he might not be able to fly at all…. well he taped it up and showed us just how tough and incredible he is.

Team USA was dominant and it was the young Texans Damone Rippy (2) and Jake Orel (3) who flew with such speed, control and confidence they now find themselves with the entire field watching them very closely. Who finished in top spot… Tongthai Suksan of Thailand. His flips were so tightly delivered he would literally lose no elevation if not be continuing to climb as he executed them and initially seemed to land a huge double back flip but upon closer review FM is calling it two back-to-back single descending flips due to a slight pause mid trick.

As with any very young sport there are still issues that must be looked at in order to allow for the competitors to push their riding and tricks to new heights. We saw Lindsay McQueen begin his run with the highest and most impressive dolphin’s of the day only to flip his Jet Ski two tricks later and be disqualified. We also saw some controversy as Jordan Finley’s run was cut short when judges deemed his Jet Ski to have flipped (video evidence proved otherwise) Franky, Krystel and their judges used a ‘white card’ and Jordan now finds himself in a Day 2 battle against John Albinsson to see who advances.

The lone female competitor Oceane Corbet (14) threw down a very solid run and really woke the crowd and the other rider’s up as she raised the bar early in the competition and forced everyone else to up their game. Fellow Team France member and current World Champion Stephane Prayas (4) put on a very solid run but you get the feeling there is so much more to come from the champ. Finally, props to Andrew Hickey for booty shaking his way into our hearts and reminding everyone that showmanship along with great riding is the ultimate combination.

An incredible day 1 but things get really serious as the battle rounds begin. The riders will have 2min to impress and move on. Big tricks have been thrown but we ain’t seen nothing yet.

Top 32 Flyboarders moving on are in bold

(Riders will go in alphabetical order of country. Top 32 were announced but I’ll try and post scores for every rider once I can get them from the judges.)
November 7th (2pm -6pm)

November 8th (9am – 12pm)

FLYBOARD WORLD CUP 2013
ORDER,COUNTRY, LAST NAME, FIRST NAME, PLACE
1, Argentina, Spinelli, Fernando, #
2,Australia, Egan, Corey, #
3,Australia,Hendra, Peter, 21
4,Australia, Jeffery, Dale, #
5,Bermuda, Callon, Bums, #
6,Bermuda, Dyrli, Natalie, #
7, Bermuda, Tucker, Marc, #
8, Canada, Anderson, Braden, #
9, Canada, Biggar, Rodney, #
10, Canada, Boucher, Adrian, #
11, Canada, Wells, Brody, 22
12, Columbia, Alfonso, Geovanny, #
13, Croatia, Perkov, Josip, #
14, Croatia, Zuric, Josip, 29
15, Egypt, Abdou, Wael, #
16, Finland, Seppanen, Erik, #
17, France, Baikoglu, Alexis, #
18, France, Calliot, Laurent, 16
19, France, Candavoine, Mathis
20, France, Corbet, Oceane, 14
21, France, Corre, Jimmy,24
22, France, Cosson, Julien, (injured)
23, France, Esnard, Patrick, #
24, France, Julien, Jonathan, 17
25, France, Poret, Jeremy, #
26, France, Prayas, Stephane, 4
27, France, Selmi, Ramzi
28, Italy, Natale, Luigi, #
29, Japan, Osada, Jun, #
30, Japan, Yokoe, Kansuke, 12
31, Japan, Suzuki, Motoaki 9
32, Malta, Desira, Simon, #
33, Morocco, Vittecoq, Pierre-Alexandre, #
34, Norway, Johansen, Carl Jacob, #
35, Netherlands, Krook, Bo, 18
36, Netherlands, Stoppels, Arnoud, 8
37, Netherlands, Weistra, Remco, 30
38, Poland, Jaszczold, Robert, #
39, Poland, Sikorski, Kajetan Jan, #
40, Qatar, Al Kholaifi, Abdulla, #
41, Qatar, Al Kuwari, Saud Abrahim Giham, #
42, Qatar, Al Kuwari, Khalid, #
43, Qatar, Al Kuwari, Rachid Abdullah, #
44, Qatar, Hassan, Mohammed, #
45, Russia, Kornilovich, Denis, #
46, Russia, Tolkachev, Matvey, #
47, Saudi Arabia, Dakhil, Ahmad, #
48, Spain, Martinez Yague, Antonio, #
49, Spain, McQueen, Lindsay, #
50, Sweden, Albinsson, John, White Card (Battle)
51, Sweden, Schonberg, Oscar, #
52, Thailand, Anon, Chomsen, 28
53, Thailand, Pichai, Silaphat, 27
54, Thailand, Sataporn, Srirang, 26
55, Thailand, Tongthai, Suksan 1
56, United Kingdom, Dear, Mike, #
57, United Kingdom, Hickey, Andrew, 20
58, USA, Andrews, Trey, 6
59, USA, Bulka, Paul, #
60, USA, Finley, Jordan, White Card (Battle)
61, USA, Feise, Ronnie, 15
62, USA, Finne, Bryan, 25
63, USA, Gavic, Caleb, 10
64, USA, Gould, Aaron, 11
65, USA, Kubalek, Nellie, #
66, USA, Maravegias, Alexander, 13
67, USA, Merrell, Ben, 5
68, USA, Orel, Jake, 3
69, USA, Rippy, Damone, 2
70, USA, Soldato, David, 23
71, USA, Wayment, Jordan, 7
72, USA, Riggs, Cooper, 19

Highlights: (Some updates missed… sorry but amazing content coming soon!)

• Peter Hendra feels out the dual impeller and begins with huge back dolphins into some incredible spins.
• Braden Anderson spins and serves up some huge reverse dives. Ski flipped towards end of run but righted itself so hopefully not negatively affecting his score.
• First female rider (France) of the group Oceane Corbet threw three sick backflips and sweet spins. Very impressive run!
• 2012 World Champion Stephane Prayas kills his qualifying run with incredible control, speed and a flurry of flips.
• Osada from Japan throws some unique side flips and huge air, almost landing his double back flip cleanly.
• Simon Desira 47 yrs old and he throws a backflip and some nice dives. Way to go Simon!!
• Arnoud Stoppels with a sick run. Three flips in a row, tremendous speed and control.
• Bo Krook on one leg with an amazing double backflip attempt. Tight spins and incredible speed.
• Lindsay McQueen with HUGE dolphins but flips the Jet Ski and is disqualified.
• John Albinsson with beautiful spins into dolphin dives, flips and a very solid run!
• Suksan Tongthai DOUBLE BACK FLIP but with a pause (so back to back singles?) and incredible spins 50 ft in the air. Tight flips with no elevation loss. Amazing!
• Sataporn finished 4th in 2012 and came with incredible consecutive spins and some sweet flips. Flying again with the arms.
• NOTE: Thailand flyers raising the bar!!!
• Andrew Hickey flying for the UK with amazing style, backwards flying into dolphins and some solid flips combos.
• The sun is going down, it’s getting darker but Aaron Gould stuck a sick run, and should be moving on.
• American riders putting on a sick show. Damone Rippy with the fastest spins of the day.

Battle Round Highlights:

• Jordan Finley wins the first battle round and joins the top 32
• Alexander Maravegias flips his Jet Ski for the second year in a row but at least has the best hair in the comp.
• Bryan Finne has a solid run and I’m a bit surprised that Arnoud Stoppels (who had boot issues) came out on top.
• Ben Merrel threw his huge, arching, reverse dolphins and was sure to go through to the round of 8
• Peter Hendra had some EMK issues and returned to the dock only to realize after the Jet Ski was tested that the problem didn’t seem to persist and therefore he was disqualified. (Tough break Peter)
• Stephane Prayas went bigger than in qualifying and flew with such speed that he moved on.
• Jake Orel threw down the sickest run of the round of 16 and is definitely a force to be reckoned with.
• A very close battle saw Cooper Riggs eek out a win over the lone female competitor Oceane Corbet.
• Aaron Gould looked much more ‘Gouldly’ with his run and wowed the crowed edging out Canadian Brody Wells.
• Trey Andrews had an EMK issue mid run but was solid pre and post issue to move on.

BATTLE ROUND OF 16

November 8th (1pm – 4pm)

Battle Pairings (Winners are in Bold)

(1)  Suksan Tongthai vs (White Card) Rachid Abdullah Al Kuwari
(17) Jonathan Julien vs (16) Laurent Calliot
(9) Motoaki Suzuki vs (24) Jimmy Corre
(25) Bryan Finne vs (8) Arnoud Stoppels
(5) Ben Merrel vs (28) Anon Chomsen
(21) Peter Hendra vs (12) Kansuke Yokoe
(13) Alexander Maravegias vs (20) Andrew Hickey
(29) Josip Zuric vs (4) Stephane Prayas
(3) Jake Orel vs (30) Remco Weistra
(19) Cooper Riggs vs (14) Oceane Corbet
(11) Aaron Gould vs (22) Brody Wells
(6) Trey Andrews vs (27)  Siliphat Pichai
(7) Jordan Wayment vs (26) Srirang Sataporn
(23) David Soldato vs (10) Caleb Gavic
(15) Ronnie Feise vs (18) Bo Krook
(31) Jordan Finley vs (2) Damone Rippy

BATTLE ROUND OF 8

November 8th (4pm – 6pm)
Winners are in bold

Suksan Tongthai vs Jonathan Julien
Motoaki Suzuki vs Arnoud Stoppels
Ben Merrel vs Kansuke Yokoe
Andrew Hickey vs Stephane Prayas
Jake Orel vs Cooper Riggs
Aaron Gould vs Trey Andrews
Jordan Wayment vs Caleb Gavic
Ronnie Feise vs Damone Rippy

SUMMARY

Pro Flyboarders are pioneers. Visionaries who’s passion is bringing a new sport to the world. In 2013 each World Cup competitor has gone on a journey, faced challenges and made their countries and fellow flyers proud. Whether it’s taking on the EMK for the first time and having to deal with the incredible power of the dual impeller or managing a Jet Ski they’ve never flown with before each rider has dug deep and delivered no matter the challenge.

During the round of 8 the judges found themselves in some very difficult situations as the flying was either equally intense and strong or wonderfully unique and entertaining leaving very little separating the two competitors. Suksan Tongthai from the Kingdom of Thailand continues to blow minds with his incredible height and fearlessness. Flipping 40 ft up and then diving out of it at that heights is something you have to see to believe. Jonathan Julien was smooth and consistent throughout his two minutes and thirty seconds and though he didn’t move on had the complete attention of his fellow competitors. Arnoud Stoppels and Ben Merrel each took care of business with very impressive and controlled runs. I would say Ben has been one of the most consistent flyers in the competition so far.

Andrew Hickey, a crowd favorite, found himself up against the man who backflipped a world record out of his grasp and now has also ended his World Cup journey the reigning world champion Stephane Prayas. Andrew was the great showman he is but Stephane sealed the deal by capping his solid run with a one hand on the back of the Jet Ski levitation move that had never been seen before. Up next was Jake Orel, one of my favorite flyers and a 15 yr old who will be a star in this sport for a long time. Jake had a winning run put together until a very aggressive move caused a strap issue that ate up the rest of his time allowing Cooper Riggs, who flew well, to advance.

The next two groups were the hardest on the judges and created the most debate on the dock. Aaron Gould rode with such technical precision and speed that even without a cleanly landed double backflip his run would be very difficult to beat but then Trey Andrews goes out and rides out the nicest double back flip we’d seen at this year’s competition. This true ‘double’ might have been enough had the run not been interrupted with an EMK issue. Trey was able to continue and pull a few more HUGE tricks but we’ll be seeing Aaron in the next round.

I hear ‘duct tape’? Caleb Gavic taped up his ankles and threw down a serious run with spins that were some of the fastest the world has ever seen. He also delivered a diverse selection of high degree of difficulty tricks which was needed because Jordan Wayment was about to show us his ‘stuff’. You wanted a show… then you gonna get one… after opening with a huge back flip and then spin into back flip, Mr. Wayment went for a swim only to rise from the water sans shorts. Is it harder to do tricks with your shorts around your ankles? You’ll have to ask the guy in the cowboy hat.

Finally, the last rider remaining who flies with a partner on the ski, Ronnie Feise went big and really enjoyed the moment. He said after how much he loved the power and the board and as we watched his run we could tell life was good. Good met great when Damone Rippy, styling all in orange and fueled by his waterproof earbuds pumping his favorite tunes took to the sky and rocked some of the most amazing flying of the competition. He might not have been as controlled as he would have liked but he just turned 15, he’s got a huge crowd of fans and peers watching and the moment just amped up everything… 99% in a good way. His tricks were HUGE his swagger was swagging? and the Flyboard World knows this kid is for REAL! Damone moved on and now the world’s best prepare to battle for the title of World Champion… Stay tuned.

QUARTER FINALS

November 9th (9am – 12pm)
Winners are in bold.

Suksan Tongthai vs Arnoud Stoppels

• Just too many huge tricks strung together beautifully by Tongthai leaves Arnoud behind in the quarters.

Ben Merrell vs Stephane Prayas

• THERE WILL BE A NEW WORLD CHAMPION
• Ben Merrell with huge reverse dolphins and a 1080 double back flip… landed in the water but hey he threw it for the first time here!
• Stephane Prayas breaks the hose during his run. Solid run but is it enough?

Cooper Riggs vs Aaron Gould

• Cooper has only been flying for four months and just threw a run that was smooth and chalked full of tricks.
• Aaron Gould flew with precision but did not have a clean landing on his double attempts and no dives which might have left the window open.

Caleb Gavic vs Damone Rippy

• Caleb Gavic had a very strong run but flipped the Jet Ski and was disqualified. I feel for Caleb as he was a very strong competitor.
• Damone Rippy had a free run to win and put on a nice show but almost flipped the Jet Ski twice which would have DQ’d him too. Lucky, lucky, lucky Mr. Rippy. An awesome flyer but control and Ski management needs some attention to detail.

 

SEMI-FINALS

November 9th (1pm – 3pm)

And then there were four… (winners are in bold)

Suksan Tongthai (Thailand) VS Ben Merrell (USA)

Cooper Riggs (USA) VS Damone Rippy (USA)

FINALS

November 9th (4pm – 6pm)

Ben Merrell (USA) VS Damone Rippy (USA)

Two incredible runs! Five minutes of amazing tricks, smooth transitions and the 2013 Flyboard World Champion is

Suksan Tongthai (World Champion) VS Cooper Riggs

FLYBOARD WORLD CUP 2013 CHAMPION

 

BACKFLIP CONTEST

Franky Zapata sets a new world record with 22 backflips in 1min. Now Jordan Wayment tries to top it. Jordan did 12 back flips. Aaron Gould lands 15 backflips and Suksan lands an impressive 18 flips. Looks like Franky’s got this one for at least another year.

AWARD CEREMONY

November 9th (9:30pm)

ZAPATA RACING – LASER LIGHT SHOW

 

2,700 Flyboarders entered for the chance to compete and only 73 Pro Flyboarders made the cut and will be competing in Doha, Qatar for the title of Flyboard World Champion!