The Wakeboard World Cup stage is ready !

The spectacular backdrop of downtown Singapore combined with the world’s largest floating stage and followed by a huge hip-hop themed party next weekend, will create the perfect setting for the next Wakeboard World Cup Stop of the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF). This enormous platform can actually accommodate the weight of 9,000 people. The purpose built Marina Bay gallery seats 30,000 spectators. Following the highly successful Singapore Formula 1 Race, the City is now ready to finish the season on a real high with this Wakeboard World Cup Stop.

The top Pro Wakeboard Riders from 13 Countries will compete for the cash purse of US$60,000 for this Stop. They will also add to their points for the overall World Cup season title scheduled for completion in Doha in Qatar on November 13/15. This will follow the Wakerski World Cup Stop in Putrajaya Malaysia on November 7/9.  The countries represented in Singapore will include Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the USA.

The impressive line-up of Riders includes Dallas Friday (USA), the four time X Games Champion, three time US Pro Tour Overall Champion and defending Singapore Wakeboard World Cup Champion, Jeff Weatherall (NZL), 2003 and 2005 World Champion, Andrew Adkison (USA) 2007 World Champion, Andrea Fountain (NZL) 2005 World Champion and Phillip Soven (USA), four time winner of the Singapore World Cup Stop, 2007 and 2008 US Pro Tour Champion and  2007 US Masters Champion. Watch out also for Rusty Malinoski (CAN), 2008 US Masters Champion, Raimi Merritt (USA) the young rising star and winner of the Palm Hills World Cup Stop in Egypt some weeks ago, and Nick Davies (GBR), another new and rising star who took the Pro Mens title at Hacienda Bay in Egypt.

MasterCraft will again provide all the World Cup specialized boats and technical support at the Marina Bay Floating Platform venue. The Singapore Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (SWWF), headed by Paul Fong, have been the official organizers of the highly successful Singapore World Cup Stops for the past five years. They have been involved in major competitions in Singapore since 1994. The event is also supported by the Singapore Sports Council and Tote Board & Singapore Pools. The sponsors include MasterCraft, Rip Curl, The Butter Factory, Asahi Beer and PUB – the venue sponsor.
This Wakeboard World Cup Stop will be the closing event of WaterFest Singapore 2008. In addition to this, the very first outdoor dance party on the world’s largest floating stage will take place after the first day of competition next Saturday night. Celeste Chong, Marketing Director of The Butter Factory, the hosts of the huge hip-hop dance party, stated that watersports and parties go hand-in-hand ! The Event Director of WaterFest Singapore 2008, Rashid Sahib, also stated that music has always had a great synergy with watersports and the World Cup Riders from 13 Countries will certainly be in the spotlight and on stage next weekend in Singapore. The IWSF World Cup edited TV show will be distributed to over 500 million viewers globally.  Media Reports and action photos will also be circulated to over 190 countries by the IWSF.  Full details will be posted over the coming days on the World Cup Web site at http://waterskiandwakeboardworldcup.com

Here is the competition programme outline :

SATURDAY – October 11th

10.00hrs – 17.30hrs / Free Boat Rides and Banana Boat Rides
14.00hrs – 17.30hrs / World Cup Qualifying Rounds
18.00hrs – 22.00hrs / Rail Jam Wakeboard and Wakeskate
18.00hrs – till late / Marina Bay Floating Platform Hip Hop Party
SUNDAY – October 12th

10.00hrs – 18.00 / Free Boat Rides
11.00hrs – 13.00hrs / Rail Jam Wakeboard and Wakeskate
14.00hrs – 17.00hrs / World Cup Semi-Finals and Finals

END