After a year off, the Red Bull Wake of Steel returned to the port of Linz and with it 18 of the world’s best wakeboarders. With 17,000 spectators watching on, the boarding heroes made for an exhilarating return amid summery temperatures with yet another dramatic contest in the event’s fourth edition. Thailand’s Daniel Grant was once again able to see off the competition on the specially converted cargo ship to complete a treble of victories. Local hero Dominik Hernler, who was among the favourites, had to sit it out due to injury. Taking the most points in the very first night session were Daniel Grant and Australian James Windsor.
 
The sun always seems to shine on Linz. At least that was the case again this year as the Red Bull Wake of Steel returned to the Port of Linz after a year’s break. 17,000 Spectators provided the perfect setting over two days for 18 of the world’s top wakeboarders. The Red Bull Wake of Steel has by now become one of the top events on the international wakeboard event calendar, after all. The great reputation of the contest, with its unique obstacle, has spread far and wide – making riders from 14 countries, and all five continents, thrilled at the prospect of returning to Austria’s Steel City after a year away. On the starting list: superstar Daniel Grant (THA), Aaron Gunn and James Windsor from Australia, the world champion boat Massi Piffaretti from Italy, European cable champion Guy Firer from Israel, the Germans Felix Georgii, Dominik Gührs and Miles Töller as well as local heroes Philipp Turba und Timo Kapl. Unfortunately, Union Rider of the Year Dominik Hernler hurt his ankle three days before the event and was forced to watch from the dock.
 
Friday night saw the first ever Red Bull Wake of Steel night session in a cash for tricks format. James Windsor and Daniel Grant performed best during that unique lighting situation.
 
The standard in the main event on Saturday was every bit as high as expected in qualifying, where 18 riders in two groups were whittled down to just ten who made the semi-finals. The five riders for the super final were then determined in a series of direct clashes.
 
Just five riders then battled it out against one another in the super final - Daniel Grant (THA), James Windsor (AUS), Julian Cohen (USA), Ben LeClair (CAN) and Szebasztian Szolath (HUN). Although Grant sneaked into the super final in fifth place, the young Thai rider showed how he has won the prestigious event twice already. He was able to steal the lead away from Ben LeClair of Canada with a Moby Dick 540 on the kicker and some unbelievably tidy tricks on the rails in his second run. James Windsor, who put in consistently good performances right throughout the day, was dominating the end-section with his travel from the steel to downrail. In the end, he wasn’t able to move up the leaderboard and finished third under the watchful eye of wakeboard legend Parks Bonifay.
 
Winner Daniel Grant said excitedly, "The win feels surreal. I actually came here without any expectations and I have surprised myself with the result. I’m virtually lost for words. In comparison to all the other obstacle events, Red Bull Wake of Steel is definitely the most extraordinary, and it’s the biggest challenge, but things just go well for me here in Austria."
 
Red Bull Wake of Steel is the highlight of the LINZ AG Bubble Days, which were far from over with the end of the sport. Right after the wakeboarding, the spectators headed to the Red Bull Wake of Steel Stage, where the likes of Headliner SSIO, The Ruff Pack and Brenk Sinatra sent the crowds dancing till late into the evening.
 
Results
1. Daniel Grant (THA) - 91.00
2. Ben LeClair (CAN) - 87.00
3. James Windsor (AUS) - 76.30
4. Julian Cohen (USA) - 64.00
5. Szebsztian Szolath (HUN) - 60.70

Further information can be found on www.redbullwakeofsteel.