Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Fox Racing Rewards MX Team with Malibu Boat Trip

Fox MX Team & Murray Ready To RideEvery year Fox Racing (@FoxHeadInc) rewards their motocross team with a group vacation for a job well done. This year the Fox Wake Team took it upon themselves to show the MX Team some love. Fox MX Team Riders Brett Metcalfe, Jeff Emig, Ricky Carmichael, Ivan Tedesco, Daniel Reardon and Trey Canard met Todd Hicks, the Fox Brothers, Shaun Murray and Chris Bischoff in Lake Shasta, California for a weekend of wakeboarding and wakesurfing behind a Malibu Boats Wakesetter VLX.

Todd Hicks, Fox Wake Team Manager, explained the tradition of the team trip and the motivation for this year’s outing. "We have visited Hawaii a couple of times with the athletes. MX Team has enjoyed surfing with the worlds best surfers, so this year we wanted to give back from our wake team side. Our Fox Team managers wanted to let the MX crew enjoy some wakeboarding.”

Hicks put the call into Malibu Boats requesting the big wakes of the Wakesetter VLX. That’s why he had the chore of boat pick-up, but he was excited to do it. Even more excited once he saw the boat. “I went ahead and picked it up from the factory on our way to Shasta. My mouth dropped as I approached the Malibu Factory. There was the sickest looking boat sitting out front of the place. I thought there was no way that was the boat we were going to use. Sure enough, I was told this was our boat.” Hicks added, “I about passed out!"

Hicks recruited wakeboard legend and Fox Wake Team Rider, Shaun Murray, to play the role of wake coach for the weekend. According to Hicks, “Murray is the only man you would want on your houseboat trip teaching top notch moto athletes how to wakeboard.”

Chris Bischoff or “Bisch” as they call him, was along to assist in the wakeboard instruction and document the trip with tons of photos. When Bisch was asked how it all went, he had this to say, “It was awesome and all the boys were super stoked. It was such a fun weekend.”

Even on a fun, relaxing weekend after a grueling year of supercross and outdoor motocross, the Fox MX Riders couldn’t fight their need for more competition. They went head-to-head behind the Wakesetter VLX trying to one-up each other with wakeboard moves. So Bisch and Murray acted as judges in this impromptu wakeboard competition. Bisch said, “They got so into it!”

The Fox MX Team received VIP treatment at Lake Shasta for their reward trip. Fox provided the Malibu Boats 2009 Wakesetter VLX as well as all the gear the guys needed to wakeboard and wakesurf. They stayed in a four level houseboat fully stocked for the trip and by every account a good time was had by all.

To check out Wakesetter VLX, the same wakeboard boat the Fox MX Team rode behind, visit your nearest Malibu Boats Dealer. Or take a cyber trip the Malibu Boats Family of web sites.


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Monday, September 28, 2009

Holman Fam Chooses Malibu Boats Over Corvette Factory

David & Kelly Holman Touring Malibu Boats TNDavid and Kelly Holman from Clarksville, TN called the Malibu Boats Factory (@MalibuBoats)in TN while traveling to see about a tour. The Holmans planned to stop in Kentucky at the Corvette Factory, but then realized the Malibu Factory was not far and decided a Malibu tour would be their first choice. Kerri Johns, who works in Customer Service and Warranty for Malibu Boats, took the call and encouraged David and Kelly to stop by the plant.

David, Kelly and their five children have always had a love for boats. They are between boats right now, but have thought for a long time that their next boat would be a Malibu. David explained to us how choosing the Malibu Factory tour over the Corvette Factory came about. "When we realized that the Malibu plant was only two hours further than the Corvette Factory, we thought we would call and see if a tour was possible." David continued, "Kerri was so pleasant and willing when I spoke to her. We knew then that the Malibu plant was the best choice and we were right."

Kerri met David and Kelly in the front office at the Malibu Boats Factory in Loudon, TN and they were off. One of the first things they did was check out the Malibu Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V at the factory. The Holmans told Kerri about their love for Corvettes and since they wouldn't have a chance to visit the museum she thought seeing the Corvette that runs on water would be fun for them. And as Kerri put it, "They killed two bird with one stone and got their Corvette fix."

Then Kerri and Dennis Kelley, Quality Assurance Manager for Malibu Boats, gave them the detailed Malibu Boats tour. They started with mold-prep and worked their way through gel coat, lamination, assembly, rigging, upholstery install, lake test, QC and detail, explaining each step thoroughly along the way.

We asked David what he enjoyed most about the Malibu Boats tour and he immediately replied, "The amount of detail and effort taken to make each boat and grasping the concept of how the gel coat goes on first and the shell of the boat is made from the outside in." David went on to say, "We had a great time and enjoyed ourselves more than we could have imagined. The staff at the plant was so kind and treated us as the most important people in the world. Everyone was so willing to answer our never-ending list of questions."

The last question we asked David was what he thought of Malibu Boats now that he and Kelly had a chance to take the tour. "The level of customer service and patience for explaining details exceeded our expectations and the tour affirmed that craftsmanship, detail and innovations have placed Malibu Boats at the top of our list." David answered.

Kerri told us, "Dennis and I had the best visit with the Holmans! Kelly even hugged me on her way out. This type of personal contact with customers is the absolute best part of my job!"

If you are interested in taking a tour at Malibu Boats Factory in Loudon, TN like the Holmans please call (865) 458-5478 or fill out the Malibu Boats Contact Us form online. Make sure to include your desired tour date and time in the comments section. We would love to see you at the Malibu Boats Factory.

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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Malibu Wakeboarders Make INT Regionals Family Affair

The Cleburne Times Review recently posted an article featuring long-time WaterSki America customers and Malibu boat owners, the Cain Family. These Cleburne, TX wakeboarders recently competed in the INT Southeastern Invitational tournament in Little Rock, Ark as a family.

Marcus and Matthew Cain and father, Scott, all Texas state champions, competed against state champions from 10 other states. The event lasted three days.

Marcus Cain, a Cleburne High School student, won the first day of competition.

“The competition was stronger than anything I have encountered before,” he said, “but the atmosphere was very laid back and fun.”

The second day of riding brought a change of boats.

Marcus Cain stood up his first pass and landed his first toe-side 180 spin.

He had some trouble adjusting to the new boat’s wake but was one of the few riders to almost complete his second pass without a fall.

At the conclusion of the tournament, Marcus Cain held off a strong surge from the rest of the field to secure a third place overall finish.

“It felt really good making the podium at a national tournament,” he said.

He is sponsored by Malibu Boats and Waterski America and rides a Hyperlite board. He is coached by JoJo Lemberg and Scott Flanagan of the Wakeboard Coalition.

Matthew Cain, one of the youngest competitors at the event, secured an honorable mention award in the mini outlaw division.

“It was scary standing on the dock waiting for your turn,” he said, “but you just have to go through it.”

“We’re so proud of Marcus and Matthew,” said the boys’ mother, Chris Cain. “Watching from the shore, I was probably more nervous than the boys,” she said.

The INT is the world’s largest amateur competition for wakeboarding.

“Despite the rain, the riders had a great time,” Scott Cain said. “For me, it was a once in a lifetime event. It was great riding with my boys.”

The Cains plan to continue to wakeboard until Thanksgiving.

“Now that the competitions are over, we have to start training for next season,” Marcus Cain said. “I’m working on a back roll and some new spins for next year.”

When he’s not training, Marcus Cain spends his time on the water teaching others how to wakeboard.

“Marcus does a great job representing the sport,” said Scott Cain.

To read more about the wakeboarding Cain Family in the Cleburne Times Review.

Congratulations, Cain boys! Keep it up, Malibu Boats is cheering for you!

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Malibu Australia Just Ride Elite Camp Sign-ups

Brett Sands Malibu Just Ride Elite CampBrett Sands Watersports is presenting the Malibu Just Ride Elite Camp in early December this year up on the Murray River at Brett’s renowned school in New South Whales, Australia. Aussie Wakeboard Legend Chris O'Shea has teamed up with Brett and his longtime sponsor Malibu Boats for three x 5 day wakeboard camps in December 2009.

Chris O' Shea - A true icon for progression in the sport of wakeboarding - along with other guest Team Malibu riders will be coaching & riding at Brett Sands' Watersports Centre at Echuca/Moama over the course of the three week period.

David Thorpe, Marketing Manager of Malibu Boats said ”This is a great opportunity to link up two of our most highly regarded Team members and connect them into one event." The Just Ride Elite Camps will allow the rider the environment to challenge themselves and take his or hers riding to the next level." Thorpe added, "We hope the camp pushes riders into the professional ranks and helps further progress the sport of wakeboarding here in Australia."

There will be three action packed 5 day live in camps with Chris O. Riders will get 3 sets of riding each day behind the all new Malibu Wakesetter VLX along with a daily tramp session with one of the most elite and progressive riders in the sport.

Accommodation and lessons will all run from Sands' waterfront property, meals are also included in the camp. Riders will eat and breathe wakeboarding for each of the camps with O'Shea. There will only be 6 riders at each camp so spaces are limited. Riders will also be able to demo wakeboards while riding at Brett Sands Watersports, they will have a range of Hyperlite and Ronix wakeboards from the River Front Shop on Location at the camp to ride.

For further information about the Camp go to Brett Sands Watersports or to make a booking call them on 0354 82 1851.

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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Fox Racing Rewards MX Team With Malibu Boat Trip

Fox MX Team & Murray Ready To RideAlmost every year Fox Racing (@foxheadinc) rewards their motocross team with a group vacation for a job well done. This year the Fox Wake Team took it upon themselves to show the MX Team some love. Fox MX Team Riders Brett Metcalfe, Jeff Emig, Ricky Carmichael, Ivan Tedesco, Daniel Reardon and Trey Canard met Chris Onstott, Todd Hicks, the Fox Brothers, Shawn Murray, Derek Cook and Chris Bischoff in Lake Shasta, California for a weekend of wakeboarding and wakesurfing behind a Malibu Boats Wakesetter VLX.

Check out the Malibu Boats flickr.com photo set from the trip!

Todd Hicks, Fox Wake Team Manager, explained the tradition of the team trip and the motivation for this year’s outing. "We have visited Hawaii a couple of times with the athletes. MX Team has enjoyed surfing with the worlds best surfers, so this year we wanted to give back from our wake team side. Our Fox Team managers wanted to let the MX crew enjoy some wakeboarding. So I spoke with Shaun Murray (the only man you would want on your houseboat trip teaching top notch moto athletes how to wakeboard) who was delighted to come and help play the roll as wake coach. Chris Bischoff put the call into Malibu for us for the sweet ride of the Malibu Boats Wakesetter VLX. I went ahead and picked it up from the factory Friday on our way up and my mouth dropped as I approached the Malibu Factory. It was the sickest looking boat sitting out front of the place. I thought there was no way that was the boat we were going to use. Sure enough, I was greeted by Shane and Amy from Malibu and they said, 'Yes this is your boat.' I about passed out."

We're glad you liked the VLX. We figured you guys deserved the best!

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Cool Malibu Sunset on the Desert

Malibu Owners Carol & Steve CuttingCarol & Steve Cutting submitted this Malibu (@malibuboats) Sunset shot as a FavPic candidate for September. This photo was taken as they were headed to Lake Powell in Utah with their 2001 Malibu Sunsetter LXI from their home in Manhattan Beach, CA. The shot was taken near Torrey, Utah.

The cuttings also sent us a couple fun photos of their dog Ariel in their new 2008 Wakesetter VTX. Ariel is a Chocolate Lab who loves their Malibu. Carol wrote, "Just ask if she wants to go in the boat and she heads to the garage."

Since the Cuttings now own a 2008 Wakesetter VTX. The Sunsetter in this great sunset photo is now owned by Carol's brother and his family.

Visit the Malibu Boats Flickr.com site to see more of the Cutting's Malibu photos.

Carol signed her email to us this way, "We are definitely a Malibu family. Love you guys."

Thanks Carol! We are so happy to have you a part of the family. Keep the photos coming. They're great!

If you capture or come across a cool Malibu Boats-related photo like this one let us know. We would love to post it on the Malibu Boats Blog and Flickr Channel. We will even Tweet about it on Twitter. E-mail blog@malibuboats.com with links and/or images. Also make sure to include the name of the person who took the shot and give us a short description of the photo's contents. If you do not know this information and you are only forwarding a link, we can track it down. Thanks!

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Monday, September 21, 2009

Bryan & Jenn Schuerman's Malibu Boats Wedding Photo

Malibu Boat Owners Bryan & Jenn SchuermanThis photo was taken of Malibu 23 vRide owners Bryan & Jenn Schuerman during a camping weekend on the Columbia River in Oregon. Bryan has been a Malibu Boat owner for 4 years. Photographer and good friend Travis Manwiller took this photo in the early August for as a wedding gift. According to Travis, who submitted this photo, "...we all get to reap the benefits of an amazing boat." Bryan & Jenn were married on August 15th.

Congratualtions Bryan and Jenn! Malibu Boats wishes you a wonderful life together. Thank you Travis for submitting this photo. It is beautiful and another reminder that we are fortunate to be even a small part of the big moments in people's lives.

If you capture or come across a cool Malibu Boats-related photo like this one let us know. We would love to post it on the Malibu Boats Blog and Flickr Channel. We will even Tweet about it on Twitter. E-mail blog@malibuboats.com with links and/or images. Also make sure to include the name of the person who took the shot and give us a short description of the photo's contents. If you do not know this information and you are only forwarding a link, we can track it down. Thanks!

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Malibu Armada at Lake Mead with Tony Stracke

Tony Stracke & Armada Wake CrewWe were introduced to Tony Stracke (@20ARMADA09) back in late May when he sent Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) an amazing letter about how he loves his Malibu vRide, wakeboarding and Tilly's Marine.

Tony and his Aramada Wakeboarding Team took a trip to Lake Mead in late August and we sent him a Malibu Boats banner to put on display. Here's what Tony emailed us about the trip.

We put the Malibu stuff you sent to good use. Myself and 8 other people from So. Cal. headed out to Mead for a camp out with the guys from WakeLV. The camp out part kind of fell through due to weather in the upper basin (apparently it's monsoon weather there) where we were going to camp so we just found a different part of the lake to ride and take photos. I have a small wakeboard apparel team, Aramda Wakeboarding Team (@20ARMADA09). It's really just a group of friends promoting wakeboarding right now, but who knows where it will go in the future. We taught 6 people to wakeboard on the Mead Trip, one of which was jumping the wake on his second set. One guy I have riding for me, Nick Nichols, is in Brooks College down here which is a film school. He is studying to be an editor, but had one of his friends, Kate Ybarra, come out with us and she took about a thousand pictures of the whole weekend. (We have posted a few on the Malibu Boats flickr.com site. We'll be posting more.) My buddy had his boat which is an '06 Wakesetter and my '07 vRide were both used as tow boats and chase boats.

Glad the Lake Mead was successful, Tony! And thanks for promoting Malibu Boats the way you do. We're stoked Aramada Wakeboarding is a part of our team!

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Saturday, September 19, 2009

V8 Supercar Driver Flips Over Malibu Boat

This article describes the satisfaction Malibu Boats pro driver Jamie Whincup gets from his @MalibuBoats Wakesetter VLX and sticking new moves like his latest, a back roll. Ben Dillaway, writer for GoldCost.com.au published this piece about Team Vodafone V8 Supercar racer, Jaime Whincup.

JAMIE Whincup chalked up another amazing sporting achievement this week but it wasn't behind the wheel of his Team Vodafone V8 Supercar.

Instead it was wakeboarding behind his prized Malibu boat [Wakesetter VLX] along the Nerang River near Macintosh Island.

"I landed my second backflip on Thursday so I'm pretty happy about that," said the reigning V8 Supercar champion yesterday.

"It wasn't as satisfying as winning Bathurst or Indy but it's up there.

"I get a lot of personal satisfaction knowing I had worked hard and pulled off something which is a bit out of my range."

The Malibu is just one the toys Whincup plays with when he's not dominating the V8 Supercar series.

Visit GoldCoast.com.au to read this entire article on the Malibu boating Australian V8 Supercar driver, Jamie Whincup.

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Thursday, September 17, 2009

8-year-old Boarder Still Shreddin Behind a Malibu Boat

Mitch Kappler's Scarecrow at WorldsMitch Kappler is 8 years old and loves to wakeboard. His family owns a Malibu iRide and since we received that first video of Mitch landing a back roll in competition at the age of seven, we have been hooked on this kid. We watched him land his first front roll earlier this year behind his family's Malibu boat. Brent, Mitch's dad, kept us updated on the runs Mitch threw down at the WWA Nationals and sent us a video of Mitch Throwing a Tantrum (wakeboard move) behind the iRide.

Yesterday the Malibu Boats Family had the chance to meet Mitch in person when he and his family stopped by the Tennessee Factory on the way to Little Rock, AR for the INT Eastern Regional Invitational. The Kappler Family took a tour with long-time Malibu employee Kerri Johns who works in Customer Service. Kerri said it was a lot of fun because of how excited the Kappler Family was to see the boats being built and just how pumped they are about Malibu Boats.

The tour also gave us a chance to catch up on the progress Mitch has been making with his riding over the past couple months. Mitch took 2nd place in the Jr. Boys division (9 and under) at the WWA Worlds tournament in Orlando back in August. Mitch ended up edging out the youngster who beat him at the INT Nationals in Texas, which had to feel pretty good.

According to Mitch's dad, Brent, "Mitch has a few more tournaments to compete in this year, but he's already starting to think about new tricks for next year."

We can't wait to see what's next! Keep photos and video coming. We love following Mitch's progress. And good luck in Little Rock, Mitch!

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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Malibu Helmet Cam Video on WakeFirst.com


On Twitter this morning, one of the great tweeters Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) follows, Nick Murto (@Murtopia) posted a link to this helmet cam video on WakeFirst.com. This is one of the coolest videos we've seen! Not only does this little water proof camera capture some nice footage of the WakeFirst.com Wakesetter VLX, the riding shots and underwater stuff are amazing. The quality is killer too. Way to go Nick! Looks like you're having fun. Keep it up man and thanks for sharing!

Nick owns a Hot Orange 2008 Malibu Wakesetter VLX along with several other successful ventures that speak to his expertise in online marketing as well as his passions, wakeboarding and snowboarding. Seven2, 14Four, Wakefirst and Powder Church in Spokane, Washington. Nick's been working in online marketing since 1996 and co-founded Seven2 in July 2004. He is a very talented guy and we're proud to have him as a member of the Malibu Boats Family.

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Owner Designs Truck After Malibu Boat

Owner Designs Truck After Malibu BoatWe received some cool photos of, Malibu Response LX owner, Dave Deacon's truck and boat the other day. At first glance these pics look like the typical rig shots, but on closure examination you'll notice some atypical similarities. Dave had his new truck striped to match the hull graphics design on his ski boat. Most people order a boat to match their tow vehicle, not Dave. According him to he started with the most important part, the Malibu boat, and then customized his truck to match. Here's a copy of the email Dave sent to us along with his rig shots.

I bought my Response LX new from TNT Watersports in Tennessee. It was the last boat that the late Sherman Cairns of Nashville Inboard Watersports took delivery of before he died.

I drove a number of different boats as a driver at some INT tournaments. With that experience, there was no question when it came time to replace my ’91 MasterCraft, my next boat would be a Malibu. It’s a basic Response LX ski boat with PerfectPass, just what I need for pulling skiers through the Old Hickory Lake Ski Club course. The only thing I’ve added is a bimini for the hot summer days.

Since I don’t have a regular ski partner, most everyone in the club has driven the boat at one time or another. I’m now skiing in an area of Mississippi where there aren’t many slalom course skiers so I’m training friends and coworkers how to drive it as well.

Due to a career change I live (and ski) in both Mississippi and Tennessee. A new truck was in order to make the haul back and forth. It seemed only natural to have it striped to match the boat. The work was done by the Sign Shop in Columbus, Mississippi. Plenty of people get to see in on the 560 mile round trip between homes.


Thanks for the email and the photos, Dave. Your truck is an awesome tribute to a great looking boat and the pair looks perfect together. Take care on those long trips back and forth.

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Friday, September 11, 2009

2010 Malibu Wakesetter VLX With Chad Sharpe

Wakeboarding Magazine posted this sweet video hosted by Team Malibu Boats Rider Chad Sharpe. The footage was shot at 2009 Surf Expo and focuses on the 2010 Wakesetter VLX and the changes you will see in the Malibu Boats line this year. Chad covers everything from the new Illusion G3 wakeboard tower to the new color-matched floor with snap out carpeting to the MaliView 6.5 color LCD to the Quad Ballast to the Patented Power Wedge.

Scroll down on this video page and Wakeboarding Magazine give you some insight into the 2010 Malibu Boats Wakesetter VLX with a 360-degree navigable shot of the boat's interior.

Malibu Boats (@malibuboats) found this information by following Chad Sharpe (@chadesharpe) and Wakeboarding Magazine (@wakeboardingmag) on Twitter. Visit Twitter and start following up-to-the-minute wakeboarding news today.

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Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Siegele's 3rd Helps Aussie Team to Gold in Korea

Team Malibu Boats Australian Rider Parker Siegele returned from the 2009 IWWF World Championships in Chuncheon City South Korea with two medals wakeboarding. Parker scored third as an individual and helped Team Australia bring home gold beating out 26 other countries in the team competition. Way to go Parker! Your Malibu mates in the States are super proud of you man! Keep it up!

Parker wrote this great account of his trip to the Wakeboard World Championships in South Korea so we thought we would share it.

It all started back in July when I left South Australia to travel north and train in warmer weather as a lead up to the worlds. Things were going pretty well riding most days until early August I sustained a hairline fracture in my tibia. This meant that I had to have some time off of the water and there was a chance if it didn’t heal I could not go to Korea. This was a massive disappointment to me. Fortunately a week and a half of intense physio and rest saw it mend to the point I could get back on the water. This gave me a few days back on the water before flying out to Seoul.

On reaching Seoul the Aussie team traveled to Chuncheon and had a few days of getting to know the town and its people. The heats and semis started and I progressed through to the finals. The day of the finals saw huge winds and really choppy water, after being perfect all week.

I reached the podium and came third in the finals. The Aussie team scored the gold team medal against 26 countries. The night carried on with the Aussie team all getting pushed in the pool by fellow team mates. Australia winning the gold and me getting on the podium was definitely one of the highlights of my wakeboarding!

Next for me – heading back to South Australia (home) and back to school. on October I will start my training for SA competitions and the Junior Pro Tour, it has been a huge ride!!


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Team Malibu's Dallas Friday and Brian Grubb Win Rider's Choice

The results of WakeWorld.com Rider's choice awards were posted this morning and Team Malibu Boats took two of the top three awards. World Champion Pro Female Rider Dallas Friday wins an amazing 9th Top Female Wakeboarder honor from WakeWorld.com viewers. Malibu Boats Pro Wakeskater Brian Grubb (@BriankGrubb) is back on top in the Top Wakeskater catagory reclaiming his thrown from last year's winner Aaron Reed. Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) would like to congratulate Dallas and Grubby on their WakeWorld.com (@WakeWorld) Rider's Choice Awards. Way to go! Your both a fan favorites and Malibu Boats favorites too!

Visit WakeWorld.com to read the entire Rider's Choice Article.

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