With our 36th World Cup Stop just weeks away in Mandurah, Western Australia on March 16/17, it is really great to see that our TV Airtime achievements keep getting better and better. It takes many years to build a solid global audience. As our audience research abilities also improve, we are learning more and more about the power of our World Cup series to attract new audiences around the world and in particular in those new emerging markets.

Our first Cable Wakeboard World Cup Stop last September was staged beside the spectacular Rainbow Bridge in downtown Tokyo. The entire Rixen Cable system was set up on the beach just for this weekend which was quite an achievement. As our World Cup TV shows are distributed through a complex network of Stations across the Continents, capturing the actual airtime achievement of each Stop takes some months. The Tokyo reports have now been finalised and here are some very encouraging headlines :

TOTAL AIRTIME ACHIEVED : 704 HOURS AND 29 MINUTES

NUMBER OF TRANSMISSIONS : 2,579

NEWS ITEMS ACHIEVED : 895

SOME LEADING AIRTIME HOURS ACHIEVED

SWITZERLAND – 48hrs

FRANCE – 38hrs

ISRAEL – 23hrs

USA – 20hrs

GERMANY – 18hrs

ITALY – 17hrs

With six new electric cable powered Wakeboard Parks opening each week around the world, Tokyo got is first introduction to this rapidly developing sport this weekend at the magnificent Rainbow Bridge competition site. The event was the 34^th Stop of the Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup Series of the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF).

With 44 Riders from 21 Countries chasing the cash prize purse of US$100,000, this was the largest 2012 prize in the sport so far. Apart from some occasional showers on Sunday, conditions at Tokyo’s immaculate downtown Odaiba beach site were perfect throughout.

Pictured here in attendance at the Finals were Mr Shiguro Hyodo, Special Secretary of the Governor of Tokyo, Mr Masato Mizuno, Vice President, Japanese Olympic Committee, Mr Masaru Hosoi, Director General, Bureau of Sports, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Kuno Ritschard, IWWF President, Mr. Katsuhiko Susukita, President of the Japanese Wakeboard Association, Mr. Toru Homma, President of the Japanese Waterski Association and Mr. Paul Fong, President of the Asia Waterski & Wakeboard Federation.

In the Open Men’s event, of the 28 contestants, the eight who made it through to the Finals represented Germany, Great Britain, Israel and Hungary. Surprisingly, those who failed to make it through included hot contenders Rocco van Straten NED, Austin Hair USA and Daniel Fetz AUT. The youngest Rider, 15 year-old Omeir Saeed UAE, greatly impressed all and is certain to be a future World Cup medals contender. European Champion, Lior Sofer ISR, had a narrow escape in the Semi Finals but got through. Past World Champion Nick Davies (GBR) returned from a twelve-month injury layoff and impressed all in taking his Finals place with style.

OPEN MEN FINALISTS

Sofer was the first of the Finalists to enter the Wakeboard Cable arena but both he and Laslo Papp HUN had surprisingly disappointing runs in the hot 34C humid weather. James Young GBR followed. His score of 70.67 set a whole new standard to beat. Next out was Nick Davies but he failed to beat James Young’s score. With just two Riders remaining Young was now guaranteed a World Cup Podium place. Next came Frederic von Osten GER. His superb performances on the Rixen Obstacles brought cheers from the Tokyo spectators. With a score of 80.67 he passed a huge challenge to Dominik Guhrs GER, the remaining Rider,. Guhrs put in a fantastic performance and again was especially impressive on the Rixen Obstacles. As he came back to shore, Head Judge Aaron Armborst GER and his team did not have an easy task in scoring the winner. By a margin of just four points, it was Frederick von Osten who took this World Cup gold medal, with Guhrs taking the silver medal and Young the bronze.

In the Women’s Open event, the starting group of 16 Riders was eventually reduced to six places in the Finals. As in the Men’s event, there were surprises along the way. Past World Wakeboard Champion, Robbie Rendo ARG, and Lauren Ormsby AUS, were just unlucky and the World Cup Final’s pressures proved too much. World Champion Kirsteen Mitchell GBR and European Champion Denise de Haan NED did get through.

OPEN WOMEN FINALISTS

British National Champion Steph Caller GBR was the first Finalist on the water as the sun again burst through the damp clouds. However, she knew that her respectable score of 51.67 would just not be enough to get ahead of the talented Riders still on the dock. Astrid Schabransky AUT followed but did not improve much on Caller’s score. Denise de Haan was next and her score of 67.52 lifted the whole scene as she smiled her way back to the dock ! This piled the pressure on Angelika Schriber AUS and that pressure worked. She received an ovation from the spectators as her very impressive score of 76.0 was announced. This created a thrilling finish – with just Kirsteen Mitchell GBR and Cosima Giemza GER on the dock. Kirsteen Mitchell GBR followed and all expected a Podium performance here from the World Cable Wakeboard Champion. While she did improve on Schabransky’s score with 64.0, Denise de Haan was now in the lead and a guaranteed Podium place. Could the last Rider, Cosima Giemza, possibly beat Schriber’s 76.0 score ? Just as in the Men’s Final again, Head Judge Aaron Armborst and his team had very close scoring to do. However, while Giemza out-performed five of the six Finalists, the Tokyo World Cup gold medal was the property of Angelika Schriber AUS on this occasion – with silver going to Cosima Giemza GER and bronze to Denise de Haan NED.

Katsuhiko Susukida, President of Japan Wakeboard Association, paid a special tribute to the 44 international Riders who brought the thrills of Cable Wakeboard to Tokyo for the first time and showing why this environment friendly and low cost sport is growing so rapidly around the world. He also thanked the City of Tokyo for their generous support of this 34^th World Cup Stop.

All the Tokyo results are available at : http://myzone.cablewakeboard.net/en/116/?sub=6&comp=514

The next Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup Stop will be the 35^th in this series and will take place in Palembang, Indonesia, over the weekend of November 24/25. Full details will be available on the World Cup Website below :

RESULTS : CABLE WAKEBOARD : http://myzone.cablewakeboard.net/en/116/?sub=6&comp=514

NEWS : INTERNATIONAL WATERSKI & WAKEBOARD FEDERATION

http://www.iwwfed.com

Chelsea Ann Foy USA

All is now set for this weekend’s 34^th World Cup Stop which will take place in the shadow of Tokyo’s Rainbow Bridge, directly in front the popular Aqua City  beach area. With blue skies and 34C temperatures throughout Friday’s Official Practice, the 44 Wakeboard Riders from over 20 countries are now fully acclimatized to the heat. Included are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Dubai, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and USA. With a prize fund of US$100,000 at stake, as this is the second last World Cup Stop of 2012, the competition is certainly going to be at the highest level !

Uwe Goldstein GER, Tarik Koni TUR, Katsu Iwassaki JPN, Paul Fong SIN,Kuno Ritschard SUI

Katsu Iwassaki, President of the Japanese Wakeboard Association and his team, have provided one of the most beautiful competition sites in the World Cup series of the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF). With a population of over 12 million, staging a World Cup Stop in a pristine downtown location is certain to attract large crowds for the Saturday and Sunday Cable Wakeboard competition. This is also the peak tourist time in the area.

As Cable Wakeboard is on the shortlist of the International Olympic Committee’s targeted sports for possible inclusion in the 2020 Games, media and business interest continues to grow rapidly. Visiting the Odaiba Cable site here in Tokyo today was Bill Yeargin, CEO of CorrectCraft, whose company recently acquired Orlando Watersports Complex (OWC) in Florida, USA – a major Cable Wakeboard centre located close to Disney World. With Cable Parks now in operation in 52 countries and new ones opening at a rate of six per week, this environmentally clean sport has an exciting future. The City of Tokyo was congratulated at the Riders Briefing today for hosting the first Cable Wakeboard event ever to feature in the World Cup series.

Bill Yeargin & Kuno Ritschard

To set the scene at the official waterfront Opening Ceremony on Saturday, Japanese Drummers and Opera singers will add to the special atmosphere here in Odaiba. All athletes will be introduced individually to the spectators. World Cable Wakeboard Champions Nick Davies GBR and Kirsteen Mitchell AUS will both take part in the opening stages on the water. Kicking off with Quarter Finals at 12.00hrs, the qualification rounds for both men and women will conclude at 18.00hrs. The Sunday Semi-Finals and Finals will commence at 10.00hrs and the Prize Presentation on the beach stage will take place at 14.30hrs.

Full event details will be posted both on the Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup and the Cable Wakeboard Websites. Following the Prize Ceremony, a TV News Edit will immediately be distributed to approximately 300 million viewers worldwide. A 26 minute edited TV show will also be distributed to over 200 million viewers later next week.

Robbie Rendo ARG, Nick Davies GBR, Sasha Christian SIN, Marcelo Giardi BRA

Saturday September. 1^st

09.00 – 11.00   Official Training

11.30                Opening Ceremony & Rider Presentation

12.00 – 15.40   Qualification Rounds for Open Ladies & Open Men

16.00 – 18.00   Last Chance Qualifying Round

Sunday September 2^nd

10.00 – 12.00   Semi Finals

13.00 – 14.15   Finals for Open Ladies & Open Men

14.30 – 15.00   Flower, Medal and Closing Ceremony

15.00 – 15.30   Press Interviews for Riders

CABLE WAKEBOARD : http://myzone.cablewakeboard.net/en/116/?sub=6&comp=514

Nick Davies GBR to challenge for first Tokyo title

The special electric powered Rixen Wakeboard Cableway has now been installed at Odaiba in the shadow of Tokyo Bay’s Rainbow Bridge.  Measuring 472 meters long, it is an impressive sight. All is just about ready for the 34^th World Cup Stop of the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF). With just one week to go, most of the World’s highest ranked Riders have already signed up for the biggest event of the year so far.

The reason why this is a history making World Cup Stop is that for the first time a cable powered system will be used in this successful Series. Environmentally, it is perfect for downtown locations. From a Media perspective it brings all the spectacular Wakeboard action almost within arms reach of the spectators. With Cable Parks now in 52 Countries and six new Parks opening every week,Tokyo will be the centre of attention on September 1^st/2^nd. Camera owners are encouraged not to miss this special World Cup occasion !

Denise de Haan NED is back on the World Cup circuit

The US$100,000 cash prize fund has attracted over 40 of the very best Riders from twenty countries – both male and female. Included in the field are Nick Davies GBR, Lior Sofer ISR and Marcello Giardi BRA. Davies has returned from injury but as a past World, European, British and World Cup Egypt Champion, he could be on Sunday’s winners podium. Watch out also for the talented European Champion Lior Sofer from Tel Aviv who greatly impressed all in Serbia last year and has been in top form for the past four years.  One of the most experienced has to be Brazil’s professional athlete and coach Marcello Giardi. He could surprise all on the day.

Lior Sofer ISR to star for first time in this Tokyo World Cup Stop

The women include European Champion and professional athlete Denise de Haan NED who has captured medals at many past World Cup Stops. Kirsteen Mitchell GBR has taken both the World and European gold medals in the past and will certainly be tough competition for de Haan. Argentinian Robbie Rendo from Buenos Aires is also a past World Wakeboard Champion and a regular on the World Cup circuit and this time will go for the Tokyo Cable World Cup title.

Organised by the Wakeboard Association of Japan, this 34^th World Cup Stop  is  sanctioned by the Water Ski Association of Japan. An edited TV show will be distributed globally. Details will be published on the World Cup Website below. They will also be available on the IWWF Facebook Page and YouTube.

Saturday September. 1^st

09.00 – 11.00   Official Training

11.30                Opening Ceremony & Rider Presentation

12.00 – 15.40   Qualification Rounds for Open Ladies & Open Men

16.00 – 18.00   Last Chance Qualifying Round

Sunday September 2^nd

10.00 – 12.00   Semi Finals

13.00 – 14.15   Finals for Open Ladies & Open Men

14.30 – 15.00   Flower, Medal and Closing Ceremony

15.00 – 15.30   Press Interviews for Riders

CABLE WAKEBOARD : http://myzone.cablewakeboard.net/en/116/?sub=6&comp=514

INTERNATIONAL WATERSKI & WAKEBOARD FEDERATION

http://www.iwwfed.com

FEATURING CABLE WAKEBOARD FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER

Tokyo's Odaiba World Cup Site

History will be made under Tokyo’s magnificent Rainbow Bridge on September 1^st and 2^nd.  A special electric mobile Wakeboard Cableway will be installed by German manufacturers Rixen at Odaiba, the popular shopping and entertainment district, on this man-made island lagoon in Tokyo Bay. It’s five eleven meter high suspension poles will create a 472 meter long course. This will convert the pristine beach area into a perfect environmentally friendly arena for the 34^th Stop of the Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup series. Ideal temperatures of 32C / 94Fh. are expected for the weekend event.

As Wakeboard is already shortlisted by the International Olympic Committee for entry to the 2020 Olympic Games under the WAKEBOARD 2020 VISION programme, for the first time Cable Wakeboard will be the sole event at this Stop. With over 30,000 active Riders in Japan, the President of the Japanese Wakeboard Association, Katsu Iwassaki, is confident that just as in 1972 Snowboarding revolutionized the Sapporo Winter Olympics, this Cable Wakeboard World Cup stop will equally thrill the spectators. Kuno Ritschard, President of the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation, also paid tribute to the City of Tokyo for fully supporting this historical downtown event.

With Tokyo’s population of 12 million surrounding the Rainbow Bridge site at Odaiba, at least 20,000 spectators are expected to attend this World Cup Stop each day. Organised by the Wakeboard Association of Japan, it is  sanctioned by the Water Ski Association of Japan.The athletes and officials will be based at the Grand Pacific Le Daiba Hotel.

World Cup Star Denise de Haan NED

To qualify for entry male and female Riders must be World Champions, Confederation Champions, National Champions or the highest ranked Riders from the World Ranking List. The cash prize fund of US$100,000 will make it one of the most lucrative competitions on the 2012 Wakeboard calendar. At this stage over 40 athletes from twenty countries qualify for entry from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Dubai, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan and USA. Tokyo’s Rainbow Bridge area will never have witnessed such a global gathering of athletic talent !

In the coming days details of the invited Riders will be released. They already include both the male and female World Champions !

Provisional Timetable :

Saturday September. 1^st

09.00 – 11.00   Official Training

11.30                Opening Ceremony & Rider Presentation

12.00 – 15.40   Qualification Rounds for Open Ladies & Open Men

16.00 – 18.00   Last Chance Qualifying Round

Sunday September 2^nd

10.00 – 12.00   Semi Finals

13.00 – 14.15   Finals for Open Ladies & Open Men

14.30 – 15.00   Flower, Medal and Closing Ceremony

15.00 – 15.30   Press Interviews for Riders

CABLE WAKEBOARD : http://myzone.cablewakeboard.net/en/116/?sub=6&comp=514