Thank you!!!

During the week of June 5th 2010, LA Night Jam athletes, staff and officials on site at Tri-Lakes spent a great amount of time during this previous week praying, meditating and practicing reverse rain dances. Dodging severe Louisiana thunderstorms all week and huddling inside only when lightening was present, the set up for the LA Night Jam III was a bit tense. The radar called for storms as the back up plans were in place, but the spirits remained high (wet but high). Just as the day progressed, the clouds cleared and sun shown through for the first time all week. At 5pm the gates opened and the patiently waiting crowd came through. The LA Night Jam III presented by MasterCraft was truly a success. The support was greater than ever with big time sponsors on site enjoying the event. Aarne Clow of MasterCraft gave a smashing closing speech for the Award’s presentation. Jim Stanley of Global Marine Insurance presented the top three men their prize money checks and Ray Stokes of Stokes skis presented the women’s. Local involved sponsors included Marketing and Event Manager of Mockler Beverage Budweiser, Paul Crespo and family and Vice President of Turner Industries, Stevie Toups. All Star Scion made a massive impression at their debut LA Night Jam by being a favorite booth handing out prizes and having a great time.

The main show, of course is the jump tournament but before the darkenss sets in, the crowd is busy on land rocking out to live bands and getting wet in one of Tri-Lake three specially designed ski lakes. This years event featured the bands Bearfighter and Above Me. Free tube rides and Mastercraft boat rides were available provided by the Bennett’s staff. Wake park project was ripping wakeboard demos on the newest Seisitec system 2.0 cable tow.

Aside from the Distance Jump Tournament, Eagle Sports Freestyle Barefoot Team stunned the crowed and fellow skiers with an outstanding show featuring South Africa’s Andre De Villiers. Bennett’s Waterski School backed a Battle of the Sexes Slalom head to head between MasterCraft and Bennett’s own Danyelle Bennett and ULL’s Tyler Scott. Danyelle pulled hard for the girls out there taking the win by a long shot! Dolphin Wetsuit’s trick ski flip contest was a crowd favorite featuring the world’s number one trick skier Aliaksei Zharnasek of Belarus, Dylan Schaffer of Alabama, Christian Scharosch of Kansas and Cole Kalkbrenner of Missouri. Krewshal Klothing sponsored the wakeboard kicker contest towed behind the Sesitec 2.0 cable. Luke Romero, Lucas Harold, Ben Albright, and Chip Smith, all Local Louisiana riders and national competitors battled it out with sick tricks thrown from the Krewshal Kicker.

As the sun went down the intensity went up starting off four Mastercraft boats roaring and spinning down the lake. Followed with the American Flag falling from the sky attached to one of the Flying Dragons skydive team members during the national anthem. Twelve year old Taylor Garcia shocked the crowd as a tiny but powerful fore runner to the Night Jump Finals sponsored by Indmar and Stokes.

The VIP section was a sold out show with 500 local ticket holders, athletes, officials, sponsors and staff. Baton Rouge’s top DJ, DJ OttO was pumping tunes and mixing good vibes all night long. Partnered with hefty donations of Budweiser and Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka provided by Mocker Beverage and Firefly the show was off the hook! It was a close battle and few upsets out on the water with both the women’s and men’s top seeded finalist not making the podium. Women’s top three finishers Regina Jaquess, Natallia Berdnikava, and June Fladborg held strong through the darkness on the Women’s side of things. Jason Seels, Damien Sharman and Freddy Kreuger ended up on top for the men. Finishing the night off high on the podium were Three Time LA Night Jam Champions June Fladborg and Freddy Kreuger. The LA Night Jam has once again continued its long-sought-for tradition of excellence… and the greatest night of the summer.

We hope that you will support us again, as we make plans for the next chapter: LA Night Jam IV, tentatively scheduled for Saturday June 4 2011.

With Kind Regards,

Amy Bing
Event CoOrdinator, LA Night Jam III