(Irvine, Calif. -- May 19, 2011) The Maloof Money Cup (www.maloofmoneycup.com) presented by Vans and airing live on FUEL TV this summer – will host the vitaminwater® Am Open in New York on Sunday, June 5.  Run by SPoTlight Productions, based out of the walls of Skatepark of Tampa, this year’s street contest features the best up-and-coming amateurs in the world. Reigning champ Ishod Wair will defend his title against some amazing young talent, including Riley Hawk, Curren Caples and Louie Lopez.

The winner of the vitaminwater Am Open will receive $1,000, a one-year supply of vitaminwater and a trip to the Maloof Money Cup South Africa (Sept. 30 – Oct. 2) where they’ll take their shot against the world’s best skaters in the open qualifiers. 

“At vitaminwater, we are all about helping people take it up a notch in whatever they’re pursuing, which is why it’s the perfect fit for the Am Open,” said Senior Vice President of Marketing for vitaminwater, Matt Kahn. “This year’s field is stocked with skaters on the brink of that next level.  The Maloof Cup always brings out the best and, like all the fans, we’re excited to check out the action.”

2011 MMC NY vitaminwater Am Open lineup

Ishod Wair
Micky Papa
Felipe Gustavo
Louie Lopez
Kevin Romar
Andrew Langi
Ben Hatchell
Curren Caples
Gilbert Crockett
Davis Torgerson
Daniel Lutheran
David Reyes
Alec Majerus
Kyle Walker
Marquise Preston
Scott Decenzo
Cody Davis
CJ Dixon
Elijah Berle
Clint Walker
Evan Smith
Julian Davidson
Boo Johnson
Jeff Marshall
Sascha Daley
Riley Hawk

“It’s going to be a battle out there this year.  Ishod is amazing and he’ll be defending his title against some stiff competition,” said Joe Maloof, founder of the Maloof Money Cup and owner of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings and the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.  “These young skaters are the future of skateboarding and there are so many of them that are just on the cusp of turning pro.  This contest gives them an international platform on which to prove themselves and it’s always exciting to see who will join the ranks of pros next year.  We are proud to showcase these young ams and bring them the level of attention they deserve.”

2011 vitaminwater Am Open
Sunday, June 5
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. EST followed by awards ceremony
Watch the live, HD webcast on www.maloofmoneycup.com

About the Maloof Money Cup

Maloof Skateboarding (www.maloofskateboarding.com) produces the Maloof Money Cup.  Presented by Vans, the Maloof Money Cup is the world’s greatest skateboarding event and the premiere showcase for amateur and professional skateboarding. In 2011, the Maloof Money Cup hosts three U.S. contests, returning to Queens, NY June 4-5 and Orange County, Calif. plus a new host city, Washington, D.C., on Labor Day weekend, September 3-4.  In addition to the U.S. contests, the Maloof Money Cup expands internationally this year with the first ever Maloof Money Cup World Skateboarding Championships in Kimberley, South Africa, September 30 – Oct 2.  Join our online community to share the competition experience with a global audience and be the first to know about exciting upcoming MMC announcements. Go to www.maloofmoneycup.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter:  @MaloofMoneyCup.