With a population of 907,000, Qatar in the Arabian Gulf is well used to boxing way beyond its weight. The Country successfully hosted the 15th Asian Games last December. An investment of $2.8 billion in infrastructure and sports facilities in the capital city of Doha set very high standards. With 9520 athletes from 45 Nations participating in 39 sports and 418 events, all agreed that this was the best Asian Games ever. Doha acted as a flag bearer for the whole region. Never before had a Middle Eastern country staged anything on this scale. Any visitor to the region should take time to see the world’s largest purpose built indoor sports dome in Doha which will eventually accommodate 1,000 students.

To add to this special sporting atmosphere, on October 25th, just before these championships commence, Doha Heir Apparent HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani will set off the fanfare to formally launch its 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid. A spectacular celebration has been planned on the waterfront Corniche. According to the 2016 Olympic Games bid Committee Chairman Hassan Ali bin Ali, the formal bid Logo and other themes will also be revealed at this time.

In September 2005, Moscow successfully hosted both the Wakeboard World Championships and a Wakeboard World Cup Stop. Here in Doha, hosting the Wakeboard World Championships plus the final Stop of the 2007 Wakeboard World Cup series over the period October 28th to November 3rd is seen as routine to the experienced Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF). Federation President, H.E.Sheik Hassan Bin Jabor Althani, has played a major role in leading this movement towards excellence in sport in Qatar. In addition to these events, Doha will also host the Annual Arab Wakeboard Championships. Under the auspices of the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) and with the support of Aspire / Academy for Sports Excellence and the Diplomatic Club of Qatar, these major events will take place back to back at the Canal adjacent to the Diplomatic Club. MasterCraft will supply all the boats and technical support. Q.Media are responsible for visual communications.

IWSF WAKEBOARD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

This major IWSF Wakeboard World Championships has had a global history with previous performances in France, South Africa, Brazil, Australia, Spain and Russia. This time in Doha approximately 150 Riders from 23 Nations are expected to compete. These will include Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Chinese Taipei, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, USA and United Arab Emirates. The defending Team Champions, USA, will face a very tough challenge once again from the 2005 silver medalists Belgium, and Australia who took third place in Moscow. To add to the excitement on this occasion, there is an opportunity for some Open Division male and female Riders to qualify for entry to the Wakeboard World Cup Stop later in the week. The Chief Judge will be Nuno Almeida d’Eca and the Assistant Chief Judge, Muhammad Suhardi. The Chief Boat Driver will be Martin James of MasterCraft.

IWSF 2007 WAKEBOARD WORLD CUP – FINAL STOP

The IWSF will celebrate its 21st successful World Cup Stop here in Doha. The series involves Slalom, Shortboard, Jump and Wakeboard. This Doha Stop is exclusively a Wakeboard Stop and is the last Stop of the 2007 series. At this point, the winners of the successful September World Cup Stop in Singapore will now be pushing hard to take the season title. At stake also is a Cash Prize purse of $60,000 plus the possibility of earning an entry to the 2008 World Cup series. Riders from the USA, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada are currently at the top of the World Cup points system. All of the 2006 Doha defending World Cup champions will also be competing. This promises to be a spectacular conclusion to a year of exceptional Wakeboard performances.

TIMETABLE

With current temperatures of 35C / 95Fh and light Arabian Gulf breezes, the action packed Wakeboard programme will take place under blue skies and glorious sunshine.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

October 30 – Qualification Rounds
October 31 – Heats & LCQ’s
November 1 – Semi Finals & Finals
November 2 – Finals
November 2 – Medals Presentation

OTHER CHAMPIONSHIPS

November 3 – Arab Wakeboard Championships

November 3 – Wakeboard World Cup Stop – Top 12 Men & 6 Women + 2 Wild Cards

November 3 – Closing Banquet at the Diplomatic Club

 

CONTACT : Des Burke-Kennedy, Media Chairman, International Waterski Federation