Tigé News

Tigé Pro-Am Huge Success in Portland

2008-06-23T14:26:46-05:00

Portland, Ore. — With snow-covered Mt. Hood peacefully looming in the east, the competition was fierce in nearby Portland as thousands watched the world’s best riders battled it out during the 2008 Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboarding Championships June 20-22.

Staged at Blue Lake Park, this year’s Pro-Am was the most exciting ever with the addition of the “Tigé $10,080 for a 1080” challenge during the men’s finals round of the contest. Tigé offered the lucrative prize for riders who land the elusive 1080 trick, which has never been successfully performed in competition

Riding behind the Tigé 24Ve official towboat, Rusty “Bone Crusher” Malinoski won his third Tigé Pro-Am title after taking the top spot in Pro Men finals. The now three-time Pro-Am wakeboard champion took on Aaron Rathy two-time wakeboard world champ Andrew Adkison and two-time wakeboard World Series champion and TeamTigé member Daniel Watkins, who respectively rounded out the podium, to clinch the win in the finals.

At the completion of their final set the four finalists were given four chances to land the 1080. Two wild card riders including TeamTigé rider Adam Errington were also given four attempts to land the trick. The anticipation of watching history in the making kept the Pro-Am crowd on their feet for more than an hour of intense riding. Although there were some near misses and breathless moments, none of the six riders succeeded in landing the elusive trick.

In other Tigé Pro-Am action, Nicola Butler, 16, won her fifth consecutive contest, after taking the top spot in Pro Women’s Division.

In the Jr. Men’s finals, Alex Scagliotti of Bend, Ore. took the win his hometown waters.

Bryan Hutton may not have won today, but he didn’t leave empty-handed either. Hutton won the Rockstar Energy Drink Best Trick Award, a $1,000 bonus for landing the most impressive trick of the contest, a Backside 360 onto the funbox to Backside 360 boardslide to 270 out.

In wakeskate action, all eyes were on current wakeskate world champion Reed Hansen as the Florida native was looking to repeat at the contest and become the first pro wakeskater in history to ride away with two consecutive Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboard Championship titles. Hansen looked to be putting on demo but Stuart Shinn managed to pull-off the upset and ride away with the win. Hansen finished in second-place, followed by Brian Grubb (Nashua, N.H.) and Grant Roberts (Alamo, Calif.). Today’s win marks Shinn’s first Pro-Am title.

In the amateur divisions, four riders claimed their first-ever Pro-Am titles today as well. Tyler Heinze finished in first-place in the Open Men’s Division, Kyle Evans took home the Amateur Boys title, Danni Patraitis took the top spot in the Amateur Women’s Division, and Tanner Champion captured the Amateur Wakeskate title.

The three-day event was attended by thousands of spectators including  Tigé dealers who traveled from as far away as France. Tigé hosted its dealers and also premiered the exciting new 2009 Tigé line of multi-sport boats at the event.

The 2008 Tigé Pro-Am will be televised on Fuel TV later this summer. Check www.tige.com soon for exact air dates. For more information regarding the event, visit www.kingofwake.com.

Tigé adds “$10,080 for a 1080” Contest to Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships

2008-06-09T16:27:29-05:00

Portland, Ore. — Tigé Boats has upped the ante at the 2008 Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships in Portland by adding the “Tigé $10,080 for a 1080” contest to the event. Tigé is offering the lucrative prize for riders who land the elusive 1080 trick during the contest slated June 20-22. This challenge marks the largest purse ever offered for landing the difficult trick, which has never been successfully performed in competition.

The Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, is one of the largest and most exciting action-sports events on the pro wakeboarding circuit. The three-day event will feature the world’s top pro and amateur wakeboarders and wakeskaters. The “Tigé $10,080 for a 1080” contest boosts the stakes at the event while pushing the world’s best riders to achieve new levels. The 1080 contest is open to the four riders that make it to the finals in the Pro Men’s division plus two wild card riders. The six competing riders will each have four attempts to land a 1080 and walk away with $10,080. Should more than one rider land the trick, the successful riders will split the prize.

The lucrative 1080 challenge is the latest contest innovation created by Tigé. In 2004 the Tigé U.S. Open Wakeboarding Championships introduced the first head-to-head rider elimination finals format. The following year Tigé developed the skins format during the Tigé Pro-Am. The “Tigé $10,080 for a 1080” contest represents a huge challenge to riders and a new level of excitement for spectators at the Portland event. To date, the 1080 trick has only been successfully landed by a few elite riders outside of competition.

The three-day Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships will feature nine divisions, including Pro Men, Pro Women, Jr. Men, Open Men, Amateur Boys and Amateur Women’s Wakeboarding, as well as Pro, Amateur and Women’s Wakeskating. The event will be held at Portland’s Blue Lake Park Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the event June 20-22 for $10 (general admission), $5 (ages 6-12) or free (ages 5 and under), or in advance at www.kingofwake.com. For more information, visit www.tige.com or www.kingofwake.com.

Tigé Sponsors Blazin’ 2008 Feet on Fire Event

2008-05-15T13:49:31-05:00

by Daniel Watkins…

With the secret location set, the date starting to filter out and the excitement building for more than three weeks…it was time for the 2008 Feet on Fire! The day was May 12, 2008 and the secret location was Clear Lake, Orlando, FL.

Sponsored by Tigé, the Feet on Fire event is in its fourth blazing year. Organizers Daniel Watkins (TeamTigé) and Danno the Mano say "This is with out a doubt the event of the year".

The "Who's Who" of wakeboarding started to gather at noon to draw names out of the hat to determine the head to head shoot-outs and to put their best toe forward to take the coveted Feet on Fire crown for 2008. The event was pulled by the Tigé RZ2, showcasing the boat’s outstanding versatility and multi-sport performance.

The first round of action saw former Feet on Fire champions Shawn Watson and JD Webb both drawing a bye in the first round. Being the bare footers they are, they both decided to put on a demo and do a practice foot run to get their feet warm. As it turned out Watson was the victor in that one but, wasn't so lucky later in the day falling short in the 3rd round to the runner up and TeamTigé rider Daniel Watkins.

This led to a tie-breaker finals round between Daniel Watkins and Zane Schwank and a climatic finish to the day. With legs like Jell-O and feet on fire, it was Zane who stole the show, taking the hand crafted trophy and the pride to be named the 2008 Feet on Fire Champion.

The day also saw the shoe ski shoot out between Zane Schwank and Anthony Monaco for the coveted Shoe King Belt buckle. This has been a fury of words between these rivals since the 2007 Wakeboarding Magazine Wake Awards when Monaco, while presenting an award, challenged Zane to this shoe ski shoot out at Feet on Fire 2008. It was Monaco at the end of the day that reclaimed his title as the Shoe King with clean line steps, an air front flip and a wake to wake back roll. He will wear the Shoe King Belt buckle proudly for 12 more months.

The day of action went of with out a hitch thanks to the flawless performance of the Tigé RZ2. Many thanks to Tigé Boats, Monster Energy, Chick-fil-A, Buck for the ever so famous leader board and the ongoing support of fans who have made the event what it is today.
Check in at alliance wake.com for the Check out video footage of the event soon on alliancewake.com.

Tigé Joins Forces with Motosport Xtreme Team Green Kawasaki

2008-05-15T11:20:28-05:00

Taking advantage of an excellent cross-marketing opportunity, Tigé Boats has become a sponsor of MotoSport Xtreme Team Green Kawasaki, a satellite team both Pro and Amateur for Kawasaki Motor Corporation.

Kawasaki Team Green is a premier amateur motocross program that has produced many professional riders during the past 27 years. Motosport Extreme Team Green Kawasaki, has a close association with Kawasaki Team Green and has proven that its formula provides an excellent platform for riders coming from the Amateur to the Pro ranks. MotoSport Xtreme Team Green Kawasaki competes in major Amateur and Pro Motocross Nationals throughout the U.S. and its riders consistently are ranked among the best in the nation.

Many of the individuals and families participating in the amateur motocross share interests in wakeboarding and boating. As a Motosport Xtreme Team Green sponsor, Tigé will enjoy a significant presence at major Amateur and Pro National Motocross events as well as key access to the thousands of participants and spectators throughout the country.

At Motosport Kawasaki Xtreme Team Green's invitation, Tigé has already displayed boats at major events neat Dallas, Texas, and Las Vegas, Nevada. A custom built Tigé Motosport Xtreme Team Green Tigé will debut June 8, 2008 at Round 3 of the AMA Outdoor Pro Nationals at Freestone in Wortham, Texas. The Kawasaki Green and black Tigé RZ2 will accompany the team to all of the Amateur Nationals events throughout the year. Tigé representatives will also join the team July 20-26 in Ponca City, Oklahoma for the NMA Ponca City Grand National. Tigé will offer demo rides during the event and have new Tigé models on display.

Tigé sponsors The Grind in Austin, Santori wins it.

2008-04-24T12:09:21-05:00

AUSTIN, TEXAS- TeamTigé rider Tino Santori cheered on by an enthusiastic Austin crowd performed flawlessly on the rail to take home top wakeboarding prize at the annual "Grind: Action Sports and Music Festival", presented April 6 by Tigé Boats and Scion. This was the first event of the Under 360 productions 2008 Grind Series, featuring a wakeboard rail jam, skateboard competition, live music in downtown Austin.

The event included the Boardstop.com Wakeboard and Wakeskate Rail Jam featuring local and professional riders such as Keith Lidberg, Tino Santori, Gabe Lucas, Tom Fooshee and many more all battling it out for $1000 First-Place Prize. Going head-to-head with fellow pro Keith Lidberg in the finals, Tino took First-Place with a 270-transfer to the high-rail, 270 out and a couple of 180-transfer to nosepress backside
180-out.

This is the second year that Tigé has sponsored the event. This year’s Grind Series includes plans for similar events in Houston and Oklahoma City.

TIGÉ AWARDED BEST MARINE MANUFACTURER WEBSITE BY NMMA

2008-02-14T14:11:03-06:00

The official website of Tigé Boats Inc. — www.tige.com — has been awarded Best OEM/Manufacturer Website by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boats.com.

The prestigious award was presented February 14 in at the 2008 North American Marine Industry Web Awards ceremony held at the Miami International Boat Show. Launched in 2004, the Marine Industry Web Awards recognize the industry’s drive toward higher standards of excellence in website design and content.

Tigé was recognized as a company that leads the marine industry in website design and content, setting a higher standard of excellence in the on–line environment. The Tigé website was cited for its creativity in design, ease of navigation, relevant content and up–to–date information.

“With an experiential approach, this site, beyond many that we saw, excelled at presenting a boating lifestyle,” noted Web Awards judge Sue Garibaldi of Communication Arts magazine. “This site surpassed the others with the addition of engaging imagery, concise well–written copy, and a not–too–heavy–handed approach to the interface."

Other Web Awards judges included Sharon Davison, CEO of Web design and consulting firm, Red Sky Blue Water; Larry Rains, marketing manager, Boats.com/YachtWorld.com; and Fernando Regueiro, director of Internet services for NMMA.

Created in–house by the Tigé marketing team, www.tige.com focuses on the company’s unique line of inboard watersport towboats. The site utilizes video and interactive animation to explain the various advanced features and superior performance of Tigé inboards, which range from 20 to 24 feet. The site demonstrates how Tigé innovations, such as the patented ConvexV hull and TAPS² technology, enhance performance and watersport versatility. The award–winning website also carries news a stories about Tigé owners, events and the Tigé lifestyle.

“Our intention was to create a website that communicates how the high quality and innovative features of our boats enhance the on–water lifestyle of our customers,” said Tigé CEO Charlie Pigeon. “We’re all honored that such a prestigious organization and panel of judges feel we have succeeded.”

For more information about Tigé and its line of high quality multisport inboards, visit the award–winning website www.tige.com.

2008 Tige Pro-Am Wakeboarding Championships

2008-01-18T15:30:28-06:00

January 18, 2008

2008 TIGÉ U.S. PRO-AM SLATED FOR PORTLAND JUNE 20 – 22

Combining a popular wakeboarding event with a popular contest venue, the 2008 Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboarding Championships will be held June 20-22 in Portland, Oregon.

The annual Tigé event is a favorite among the world’s top pro and amateur riders and wakeskaters. Last year’s Pro-Am was held in Cancun, Mexico, drawing more than 100 competitors and nearly 2,000 spectators.

“We’re excited to be holding the Pro-Am early in the season this year,” said Kip Davis, Tigé Director of Marketing, “and we’re really pumped to bring it to Portland. This is a great community with huge wakeboarding support and has always been one of the most popular locations for a contest.”

Registration and additional information about the 2008 Tigé Pro-Am will be made available soon. Check www.tige.com for updates.

2008 Boat Shows

2007-11-19T16:44:59-06:00

May, 2008
Qingdao Boat Show
Qingdao, China

May 22–25
Sanctuary Cove Boat Show
www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au/

June, 2008
Ningbo Boat Show
Ningbo, China

June 6–9
Airlie Beach Boat Show
www.whitsundayboatshow.com/boatshow/

June 13-15
Lake Champlain Burlington Boat Show
Burlington, VT

July, 2008
Dalian Boat Show
Dalian, China

July 3–7
Melbourne Boat Show
www.biavic.com.au/boatshow/

July 11–13
Gold Coast Boat Show

July 17–20
Adelauli Boat Show
www.adelaideboatshow.com.au/

July 31–August 5
Sydney Boat Show
www.sydneyboatshow.com.au/

First Full Weekend of August
Customer Appreciation Days
Stayton Motorsports
Detroit, OR

August 13–17
Perth Boat Show
www.perthboatshow.com.au/

August 27–31
Brisbane Boat Show
www.brisbaneboatshow.com.au/

September, 2008
Shenzhen Boat Show
Shenzhen, China

September, 2008
Qiandaohu Boat Show
Qiandaohu, China

October 9–12
Mandurah Boat Show
www.mandurahboatshow.com/

November 7–9
Sunshine Boat Show
www.holidaycaloundra.com.au/ybi?agent=CRH&mod=site-ATDW2&id=9107240&list=EVENT&slot=2&town=&state=&area=Caloundra&template=CRH

2007 Tige Pro Am a Success

2007-10-31T10:45:51-05:00

Cancun, Mexico – October 19th, 2007 – Tigé Boats, Inc. hosted the annual Tigé Pro Am this year in exotic Cancun, Mexico on October 19th -21st. This was another fan-filled event that brought spectators from all around the world. Over 2,000 people crowded around Cancun Lagoon to watch the top wakeboarders in the world compete for the $25,000 cash purse.

The event featured eight divisions including: Pro Men, Pro Women, Jr. Men, Pro Wakeskate, Amateur Wakeskate, Boy’s, Amateur Women and Open Men’s division. In addition to cash prizes awarded to overall contest winners the skins format allows riders in the Pro Men’s division to win more money for finishing 1st in every heat.

Many Tigé dealers and customers came down to Cancun to enjoy the tropical weather and watch the Pro Am. Tigé dealer and Pro Am spectator John Shepard said “Cancun is a great place for a vacation and a chance to hang out with all the Tigé people.” “I really enjoyed riding in the 24Ve during the Pro portion of the tournament.” The three day contest was pulled with two 2007 24Ve’s.

Tigé manufactures seven direct drive and sport V inboard models ranging from 20 to 24 feet in length. Each boat features the patented Tigé ConvexV hull and TAPS2 technology. All are backed by the Tigé LifePlus Lifetime Replacement Warranty, the only replacement warranty in the industry. Tigé has more than 80 dealers in 12 countries.

Pro Men Standings
1.    Phillip Soven
2.    Danny Harf
3.    Andrew Adkinson
4.    Trevor Hansen
5T. Rusty Malinoski
5T. Adam Errington
7T. JD Webb
7T. Daniel Watkins
9.    Austin Hair
10T. Chris O’Shea
10T. Bryan Hutton
10T. Tino Santori

Pro Women Finals
1. Dallas Friday
2. Emily Copeland-Durham
3. Raimi Merritt
4. Raequel Hoffman

Pro Wakeskate Finals

1. Reed Hansen
2. Nick Taylor
3. Brian Grubb
4. James Balzer

Junior Men
1. A.J. Racinelli
2. Steven Cahail
3. Jimmy LaRiche
4. Danny Burnstein
5. Julian Cohen
6. Bryan Kryzda

Open Men Finals
1. Bart Copeland
2. Drew Conroy
3. Marcos Torres
4. Olivier Henri
5. Bobby Sutherland
6. Ryan Wolfeman

Latin America Finals

1. Alejo Depalma
2. Teki Depalma
3. Bryan Kryzda
4. Marcos Torres

TeamTigé Skier Chris Rossi Wins Again

2007-10-17T15:10:33-05:00

Zachary, Louisiana – October 16, 2007 – TeamTigé skier Chris Rossi won again. Rossi placed first at the INT Championships in Zachary, Louisiana on Saturday October 13th.

In the first round of competition Chris ran 4 buoys at 39 feet off which tied him with Ian Trapp. During the second and final round Chris ran 1 buoy at 41 feet off tying with Trapp once again. To determine the winner Rossi and Trapp had a run-off for 1st and 2nd place. Rossi finished on top with 2 buoys at 41 feet off. “Ian skied his heart out and it took everything I had to beat the 21 year old!” said Rossi.

Rossi has had his best season yet this year placing at nearly all the events that he has competed in. When Rossi is not competing he trains daily behind his Tigé 20i.