Today 7000 spectators were celebrating victory from Keith Lidberg (USA) and Jan Kissmann (GER) in Köln at Red Bull Wake the line. With a crazy competition they opened European wakeboard season in Stadionbad in Köln. 16 best world wakeboarders presented themselves in the best light on amazing sunny day and showed the level of world riding in front of the screaming crowd.

After qualifications, 8 riders went directly into finals.

The obstacles in a park were set up by UNIT Parktech and Quarterpipe on the end of the course raised wakeboarding on brand new level. The first place took Keith Lidberg from States. He was followed by German Bernhard Hinterberger from Kiefersfelden. The third place was kept for their friend Shawn Watson from Orlando.

Surprising results for the locals was the win from Jan Kissman (GER) from Duisburg. He was wild card winner from worm up session in Langenfeld and already in qualifications he showed that this was the right choice. From the rest of wakeskaters he separated himself with clear BS 180 and FS 540 and with this he took the first place. He was followed by Leo Labadens (FRA) on the second place and with Andy Kolb (GER), last year’s winner, on the third place. The best trick prize from Nike 6.0 was kept for Kevin Calvez (FRA).

After qualifications semi finals were set as knock out system. First pair was triple world champion Bernhard Hinterberger (GER) vs. wakeboarding legend from States Parks Bonifay. Both made really similar runs. They made 450 transfers from the A-frame, stylish hit the wallride and the last trick made decision. It was Whirly bird from Parks against Crow-mobe 5 from Bernie. Semifinals claimed the U.S. Boys Keith Lidberg, Shawn Watson and Collin
Harrington against their European counterparts. Before finals they had 20 minutes to take a rest and than it was a time for the “final fight”.

Riders kept the hardest tricks for the end… technically difficult tricks like BS lipslides and massive transfers. Keith Lidberg took the trophy. Bernhard Hinterberger came between two Americans and proudly presented his second place. Just behind him Shawn Watson landed on the third place, because of his extra portion of style and win of the best trick on the quarterpipe, which assured him first place.

Red Bull Wake The Line was the perfect start of the new season. The new concept of urban wakeboarding with Sesitec 2.0 system raised wakeboarding on another level, especially through quarterpipe, an element which has never been ridden in wakeboarding. The riders are still pushing the limits, so we wonder what will be next.

Results:

Wakeboard:
1. Keith Lidberg (USA)
2. Bernhard Hinterberger (GER)
3. Shawn Watson (USA)
4. Collin Harrington (USA)

Wakeskate:
1. Jan Kissmann (GER)
2. Leo Labadens (FRA)
3. Andy Kolb (GER)
4. Kevin Calvez (FRA)