Stars of Florida join World Cup Stop

The City of Chuncheon in north east South Korea has reason to feel proud today. As the hosts of the 1^st World Leisure Games with 12,600 athletes and 42 Disciplines from 50 countries involved, the first major international Final was completed yesterday in style. Organised by the Korea Waterski & Wakeboard Association (KWWA) and the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF), this 30^th Stop of the IWWF World Cup series attracted the highest ranked athletes from 14 countries and a large spectator gallery.

Chuncheon World Cup Control Tower

This 30^th World Cup Stop took place on the magnificent lake in the centre of the official 1^st World Leisure Games Village, putting it within easy reach of the visitors from 50 countries and Chuncheon residents. It was attended throughout by Mr Een-Nam Son, CEO 1st World Leisure Games & Congress.

The first class organization of the KWWA impressed all and added greatly to the occasion. As at every World Cup Stop, the boats were supplied by MasterCraft.

This 30th IWWF World Cup Stop included Waterski Jump, Waterski Shortboard and Wakeboard. The spectacular Stars of Florida Ski Show also added a touch of glamour to the event. While heavy rain and 33C temperatures posed some challenges during the Preliminary Rounds, the Monday Finals enjoyed glorious sunshine and perfect water conditions for all.

The six Heats of the World Cup Wakeboard Preliminaries attracted a full house of enthusiastic spectators. As the later Men’s Heats 1 and 2 were completed on the final day, some major stars had already dropped out. These included IWWF 2009 World’s silver medalist Austin Hair USA, four time European Champion Dan Nott GBR and Korean National Champion Jaemjan Padiwat. The Monday Finals included the two talented Phillip and Bob Soven brothers from the USA, past IWWF World Champion, Andrew Adkison USA, and Harley Clifford AUS, World Cup star and four-time US Pro Tour Champion. While Adkison lead the field with an outstanding performance, the eventual battle was between 17 year-old Harley Clifford and the more experienced 21 year-old Phillip Soven. At this 30^th World Cup Stop, it was Harley Clifford who took the gold medal with a stunning performance.

Harley Clifford, Phillip Soven, Andrew Adkison

The six Women Finalists also presented a very impressive talent list. These included IWWF World Champion Raequel Hoffman USA, three-time World Cup Champion Raimi Merritt USA, and British National Champion, Nicola Butler. While Hoffman struggled to reach her usual form, Australia’s Pro Tour Champion Amber Wing set an early high score. Nicola Butler edged ahead but that left Raimi Merrit with a clear view of what was required to take this title. At just 17 years of age, she captured her fourth well-deserved World Cup gold medal in Chuncheon.

Raimi Merritt, Nicola Butler, Amber Wing

In the Women’s and Mens Shortboard Preliminaries, there were some surprises. Both the World Record holder Clementine Lucine FRA and the past World Champion Mandy Nightingale USA did not make it through. Neither did Nicolas LeForestier FRA, recently recovered from injury and current World Record Holder, and Javier Julio ARG, the current World Overall Champion.

In Shortboard, the four Women Finalists included Danyelle Bennett USA, Marion Aynaud FRA, Natalia Berdnikava BLR and Iris Cambray FRA. Bennett is a past World U21 Champion, Aynaud is a past World Junior Champion, Berdnikova is a past World Record Holder and 17 year-old Cambray is the current Junior World Champion. This guaranteed a thrilling challenge. While Bennett was close to her Personal Best score, Aynaud took the lead with 8310 points. Berdnikova quickly pushed this to 8520 points. Now it was all down to the 17 year old Shortboard sensation Cambray. Drama entered the scene. As she approached the Course, a skilled motorized Hanglider Pilot had some fun in coming within a few meters above her head. This resulted in a well-deserved re-ride. Showing extraordinary maturity, the 17 year old Iris Cambray went on to score 8850 points, just 250 short of the World Record. This guaranteed her the Chuncheon World Cup gold medal.

Iris Cambray, Natalia Berdnikova, Marion Aynaud

The Men’s Shortboard Finals also produced outstanding performances. While Belarus athletes tend to dominate these days, Oleg Deviatovski was disappointed with his 9530 points on this occasion. Jimmy Siemers USA set the pace with an outstanding score of 10,720. None could match this till we got to the last two competitors. The reigning World Champion, Aliaksei Zharnasek BLR, pushed this to 11,770 points – just 630 short of the World Record. Twenty year-old Herman Beliakou BLR was the only remaining challenger. His great effort produced 11,490 points, just enough for the silver medal, leaving the gold medal for Zharnasek once again.

Aliaksei Zharnasek, Herman Beliakou, Jimmy Siemers

The Jump Preliminaries also produced surprises in the Men’s event. The Women were more true to form. With some warm rain interruptions, the 2009 European Champion Damien Sharman GBR and World Cup star Scot Ellis USA did not make it through.

In excellent water conditions, Marion Mathieu FRA set the standard for the Women’s Jump Finals with a distance of 47.1m. The 2009 European Champion and rising star Maj Lund Jepsen DEN quickly raised this to 48.1m. Now it was down to the past US Masters Champion Natalia Berdnikava BLR and the World Record holder June Fladborg DEN to take on the challenge. Surprisingly, neither succeeded. However, Fladborg did take the silver medal with a distance of 47.8m.

Maj Lund Jepsen, June Fladborg, Marion Mathieu

As the sun set over the surrounding picturesque Chuncheon mountains in this beautiful region of South Korea, six Men Jump Finalists rounded off a wonderful day in hot sunshine. While the distances scored were unusually low, all pushed to the limit to try to capture this prestigious Chuncheon World Cup title. Russia’s National Champion, Igor Morozov, took an early lead with 59.0m. Surprisingly, third last off the dock, Ryan Dodd CAN, had to settle for 58.5m and third place.  That left Mark Lane USA and World Record holder Freddy Krueger USA with the last challenge. Lane tried hard but failed. Krueger, who is now a World Cup legend for his ability to make the most of whatever challenge arises, brought the crowd to their feet on his very first attempt. His 62.0m distance was the gold medal performance of the day.

Freddy Krueger, Igor Morozov, Ryan Dodd

Congratulations to KWWA and the 1^st World Leisure Games organizers. This was an outstanding experience for all involved. The quality of the organization on all maters was certainly impressive.

For all results, see : http://www.iwwfed-ea.org/classic/10FRA98

For World Cup updates, see : http://waterskiandwakeboardworldcup.com

Chuncheon World Cup Spectators

WAKEBOARD

Women

1. Raimi Merritt USA 62.3

2. Nicola Butler GBR 57.1

3. Amber Wing AUS 55.8

Men

1. Harley Clifford AUS 84.67

2. Phillip Soven USA 79.56

3. Andrew Adkison USA 65.13

SHORTBOARD

Women

1. Iris Cambray FRA 8850

2. Natalia Berdnikava BLR 8520

3. Marion Aynaud FRA 8310

Men

1. Aliaksei Zharnasek BLR 11770

2. Herman Beliakou BLR 11490

3. Jimmy Siemers USA 10720

JUMP

Women

1. Maj Lund Jepsen DEN 48.1m

2. June Fladborg DEN 47.8m

3. Marion Mathieu FRA 47.1m

Men

1. Freddy Krueger USA 62.0m

2. Igor Morozov RUS 59.0m

3. Ryan Dodd CAN 58.5m

FOCUSES ATTENTION ON THE  WORLD CUP

Spectators crowd the World Cup grandstand for Practice !

While thousands of athletes poured in to the World Leisure Games Village here on site in Chuncheon, Korea, our Riders and Skiers had a very busy day of Practice on the water. A few had flight delay problems but most were able to have some time on the calm water and settle down for the great challenge ahead on Sunday and Monday. The Preliminary Rounds for both Riders and Skiers start at 08.00hrs tomorrow, Sunday.

Korean World Cup Fans enjoying the day

The first major Opening Ceremony was our own World Cup Ceremony on the very elaborate stage constructed at the edge of Lake Uiam, just in front of the large four storey glass Judges and Media Tower. Our World Cup Waterski and Wakeboard athletes from 17 Nations were guided in under their flags.  Included were a fly-by of motorised Hang Gliders, Fireworks, Smoke and Water Bombs and some great theme music. All were welcomed by Mr Een-Nam Son, CEO 1st World Leisure Games & Congress, Mr Gwang Jun Lee, Mayor of the City of Chuncheon, Mr Kweon Seong dong, President of Korea Waterski and Wakeboard Association (KWWA) and Kuno Ritschard, IWWF President. Our Riders and Skiers were also invited on stage for a group photo by the large wall of Press cameras. Our World Cup was also featured in today’s National Newspapers.

World Cup Skiers & Riders at Opening Ceremony

All our World Cup athletes invited on stage

Stars of Florida set the scene

Following the World Cup Opening Ceremony, the Stars of Florida performed their show stopping routine in front of our stage and this ensured that the World Cup caught most of the World Leisure Games attention all day. Our Riders and Skiers continued their Practice till dark and our Chief Judge, Nikki Lee USA, ensured that all got there allotted time on the water – except for the few whose flights were delayed.

World Leisure Games Chuncheon Stadium Ceremony

Tonight we headed for the nearby Football Stadium for the official World Leisure Games Opening Ceremony – another spectacular event. After the speeches and regular mentions of our World Cup Stop, some mega Pop Stars from the region took over, including the Brown Eyed Girls. As we headed home, the place was still hopping !

After a fantastic start and some very generous hospitality from our KWWA hosts, our athletes are now getting some rest. We kick off at 08.00 hrs tomorrow with Wakeboard, Shortboard and Jump, in that order. More news tomorrow.

Judges Tower overlooking the Jump Ramp

The timing of this 30th World Cup Stop is a little unusual as it will take place on Sunday and Monday, with Official Practice on Saturday, tomorrow. The immediate impression is one of excellence. When Nigel Talamo, the official World Cup Homologator arrived, he was pleasantly surprised to see that the Courses prepared on the water by the Korea Waterski & Wakeboard Association were perfect ! As all in our sport know, this is a major achievement. On the other hand, South Korea has over 600 Waterski and Wakeboard Clubs and an enormous depth of experience. The benefits of that experience show on all levels. Both the  CEO of the World Leisure Games and the Mayor of Chuncheon City visited us this afternoon and wished us well in the World Cup. It was great to see their interest as with 13,000 other athletes on site, they are very busy men !

Mr Een-Nam Son, CEO 1st World Leisure Games & Congress, Des Burke-Kennedy, IWWF Media & Marketing Chairman, Mr Gwang Jun Lee, Mayor of the City of Chuncheon, Kuno Ritschard, IWWF President.

First to arrive on site today were Waterski Jumpers from the USA, Scot Ellis and Mark Lane. Both competed in the London Night Jump competition last weekend and then moved on to the Cray Valley Waterski Club in the north of England on Monday. That is where June Fladborg DEN set the new pending World Record of 57.4m. They must be exhausted !

The MasterCraft boats have also arrived and both Riders and Skiers will continue to check in over the coming 12 hours. The Chuncheon site is on Lake Uiam which is a sheltered lake surrounded by mountains and forests – and a perfect holiday resort. It was 32C today with flat calm water. There is some rain in the area and we hope it will stay away for the coming days.

Chuncheon Athletes Village

Tomorrow, Saturday, is Practice day and we will start with Shortboard. The Opening Ceremony will be at 1.30pm and then continue with Jump Practice till dusk.

First arrivals Jumpers Scot Ellis & Mark Lane

This is a beautiful site organised by very experienced people and we are all looking forward to a great 30th World Cup competition and the last Stop of 2010.

World Record for June Fladborg

For some time now, Denmark’s June Fladborg has been almost the only Jumper who looked like she could break the 2002 World Record of 56.6m set by Elena Milakova Thomsen. She gets more speed on to the Ramp than anybody right now but that makes perfect timing all the more difficult and that has been her recent challenge. Last weekend she took the Europe Africa Jump title at London’s Thorpe Park and then moved on to the nearby Cray Valley ProAm. That was where she made history.

Moment of truth !

June’s Jump set kicked off with a distance of 50.5m – and looked promising. Jump number two was 49.8m and so 50.5m looked like it might be the best of the day. However, Jump number three was perfection – and the extraordinary distance of 57.4m is now a pending new World Record – a full 0.8m ahead of Elena’s eight year old World Record.

Ray & june celebrate the magic moment

On the eve of the 30th World Cup Stop in ChunCheon in Korea, this is a great confidence booster for Denmark’s June Fladborg. She will join Clementine Lucine FRA in Korea who has also recently had her new World Tricks Record of 9100 points approved. It looks like the inaugural World Leisure Games in ChunCheon are about to be thrilled as June and Clementine now catch their long haul flights to Seoul. In a country which has over 600 Waterski and Wakeboard Clubs, the audience is certain to fully appreciate these great talents.

ON EVE OF KOREA WORLD CUP STOP THIS COMING WEEKEND

Clementine Lucine FRA takes EA Slalom Gold Medal

Athletes from 20 Countries competed at the Europe Africa Waterski Championships (EA) last weekend at Thorpe Park in London, England. Organised by British Waterski & Wakeboard it is egarded as one of the toughest events of all due to the extremely high standard of the region’s athletes. Winning an EA Medal is a major achievement.

Every Gold Medal for both Men and Women was won by a World Cup athlete !  This will add even more to the challenge facing these busy athletes as they now take their flights to ChunCheon City in South Korea for the 30th World Cup Stop and the last of the 2010 season. The Jump and Shortboard / Trick athletes will join the World’s top Wakeboard Riders and 13,000 athletes competing in the inaugural World Leisure Games.

The EA Gold Medal winners were as follows :

SLALOM

Clementine Lucine FRA

William Asher GBR

SHORTBOARD

Marion Aynaud FRA

Nicolas LeForestier FRA

JUMP

June Fladborg DEN

Jason Seels GBR

World Leisure Games and the World Cup site

It’s World Cup time again !

The Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup series will celebrate the staging of its 30^th Stop in the picturesque 1,000 year-old City of ChunCheon. This is  located in the north east corner of South Korea and takes place on August 29^th / 30^th. This host City of the first ever World Leisure Games will welcome over 13,000 athletes from 50 countries, scheduled to compete in 15 different sports at this major international inaugural event.

ChunCheon City is also a perfect location for this 30^th anniversary of the Waterski &

Mt.Gubong and ChunCheon City

Wakeboard World Cup. It is surrounded by lakes on the north, south and west boundaries and is home to five Universities. A very popular tourist area, it stages a wide variety of both Summer and Winter Festivals, including the Snow & Ice Festival in January. Temperatures at the end of August for the World Leisure Games are expected to be a comfortable 28-29C / 86-88Fh

The Korean Waterski and Wakeboard Association (KWWA) and the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) have worked closely for over a year on the

Rider Rusty Malinoski heading for Korea

preparations for this 30^th World Cup Stop. As ChunCheon City is famous for its Watersports, Spas and Hot Springs, the arrival of the World Cup will add greatly to its range of attractions. This Stop  will include Wakeboard, Waterski Jump and Waterski Shortboard, also known as Tricks. Only the highest IWWF ranked athletes are eligible to compete. At this time those who have qualified for entry include World Champions and World Record Holders. They represent 17 countries including Australia, Belgium, Belarus, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, Republic of South Africa, Russia, Singapore and USA.  As the 30^th World Cup Stop, it will highlight the success of a Series which has already brought the thrills of both Waterski and Wakeboard to large audiences in China, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Malaysia, Northern Ireland, Singapore, Qatar, Russia – and now Korea. Already, the 2011 World Cup calendar is looking promising for the future of the Series. As for all 30 World Cup Stops to date, MasterCraft will again supply the sophisticated competition boats and technical support throughout the event.

Freddy Krueger to challenge for this World Cup Jump title

With a combination of World Cup TV News Edits transmitted via Satellite and an edited World Cup TV show, the highlights of this ChunCheon City Stop on Uiam Lake will be distributed to over 500 million viewers following the event. The World Leisure Games will also be televised live throughout South Korea.

Details of the final list of international World Cup competitors will be released shortly.

Also featured throughout the event will be The Stars Of Florida – a spectacular Waterski Show. This will add further to the focus on this World Cup Stop in ChunCheon City.

For more information, please see : www.waterskiandwakeboardworldcup.com

The timetable for the 30^th Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup Stop is as follows :

Aug. 28 – SATURDAY

09:00 – Official Practice

13:00 – World Cup Opening Ceremony

14:00 – Official Practice

19:00 – Opening Ceremony World Leisure Games

Aug. 29 – SUNDAY

09:00 – Women Wakeboard Preliminary Round

10:30 – Men Wakeboard Qualifications

13:30 – Women Shortboard/Tricks Preliminary Round

14:30 – Men Shortboard/Tricks Preliminary Round

16:30 – Women Waterski Jump Preliminary Round

17:30 – Men Waterski Jump Preliminary Round

Aug. 30 – MONDAY

09:00 – Men Wakeboard Semi Finals

10:50 – Women Shortboard/Tricks Finals

11:40 – Men Shortboard/Tricks Finals

12:30 – Women Waterski Jump Finals

13:30 – Men Waterski Jump Finals

14:30 – Women Wakeboard Finals

15:30 – Men Wakeboard Finals

17:00 – Award Ceremony – Water Sports Park

19:00 – Farewell Party Bears Hotel

IN THE FIRST WORLD LEISURE GAMES

World Cup chosen for World Leisure Games

The Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup series will celebrate the staging of its 30^th Stop in the picturesque 1,000 year-old City of ChunCheon. This is  located in the north east corner of South Korea and takes place on August 29^th / 30^th. This host City of the first ever World Leisure Games will welcome over 13,000 athletes from 50 countries, scheduled to compete in 15 different sports at this major international inaugural event.

ChunCheon City is also a perfect location for this 30^th anniversary of the Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup. It is surrounded by lakes on the north, south and west boundaries and is home to five Universities. A very popular tourist area, it stages a wide variety of both Summer and Winter Festivals, including the Snow & Ice Festival in January. Temperatures at the end of August for the World Leisure Games are expected to be a comfortable 28-29C / 86-88Fh

The Korean Waterski and Wakeboard Association (KWWA) and the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) have worked closely for over a year on the preparations for this 30^th World Cup Stop. As ChunCheon City is famous for its Watersports, Spas and Hot Springs, the arrival of the World Cup will add greatly to its range of attractions. This Stop  will include Wakeboard, Waterski Jump and Waterski Shortboard, also known as Tricks. Only the highest IWWF ranked athletes are eligible to compete. At this time those who have qualified for entry include World Champions and World Record Holders. They represent 17 countries including Australia, Belgium, Belarus, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, Republic of South Africa, Russia, Singapore and USA.  As the 30^th World Cup Stop, it will highlight the success of a Series which has already brought the thrills of both Waterski and Wakeboard to large audiences in China, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Malaysia, Northern Ireland, Qatar, Russia – and now Korea. Already, the 2011 World Cup calendar is looking promising for the future of the Series. As for all 30 World Cup Stops to date, MasterCraft will again supply the sophisticated competition boats and technical support throughout the event.

With a combination of World Cup TV News Edits transmitted via Satellite and an edited World Cup TV show, the highlights of this ChunCheon City Stop on Uiam Lake will be distributed to over 500 million viewers following the event. The World Leisure Games will also be televised live throughout South Korea.

Details of the final list of international World Cup competitors will be released shortly.

Also featured throughout the event will be The Stars Of Florida – a spectacular Waterski Show. This will add further to the focus on this World Cup Stop in ChunCheon City.

The timetable for the 30^th Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup Stop is as follows :

Aug. 28 – SATURDAY

09:00 – Official Practice

13:00 – World Cup Opening Ceremony

14:00 – Official Practice

19:00 – Opening Ceremony World Leisure Games

Aug. 29 – SUNDAY

09:00 – Women Wakeboard Preliminary Round

10:30 – Men Wakeboard Qualifications

13:30 – Women Shortboard/Tricks Preliminary Round

14:30 – Men Shortboard/Tricks Preliminary Round

16:30 – Women Waterski Jump Preliminary Round

17:30 – Men Waterski Jump Preliminary Round

Aug. 30 – MONDAY

09:00 – Men Wakeboard Semi Finals

10:50 – Women Shortboard/Tricks Finals

11:40 – Men Shortboard/Tricks Finals

12:30 – Women Waterski Jump Finals

13:30 – Men Waterski Jump Finals

14:30 – Women Wakeboard Finals

15:30 – Men Wakeboard Finals

17:00 – Award Ceremony – Water Sports Park

19:00 – Farewell Party Bears Hotel

One of the great privileges flowing from involvement in our Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup series is recognising that it can make an important and very positive impact on entire communities. Inspired by seeing our top World Cup athletes in action, lives can change in a very positive way. Here is a great example that caught the headlines today.

Malaysia hosted our World Cup for the first time at Putrajaya’s Watersports Complex in November 2008 – less than two years ago. The sport was almost unknown at that time. There were very few Malaysian Skiers or Riders. Last weekend, Putrajaya hosted a Round of the Malaysian Waterski & Wakeboard Championships.  A total of 83 athletes took part and half of these were from Malaysia. Putrajaya City’s President, Tan Sri Samsudin Osman presented the medals. Paul Fong, Confederation President of the IWWF, officiated.

In just two years, this is an extraordinary achievement. However, it is in the details that we really see how far Malaysia has come at grass roots level, where it really matters. For example, two years ago, gifted photographer Armand Ali attended our first World Cup Stop at Putrajaya. On returning home, he was processing his shots when his young son Anakin Ali asked “what’s that Dad ?” Last weekend, just two years later, the same 8 year old Anakin broke Malaysia’s Shortboard Record with a very impressive score of 1040 points. It was only his second competition ever. Also, the competition’s youngest athlete was Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah. This 6 year old athlete also set a new Shortboard Record for her category of 960 points !

Anakin Ali breaks National Shortboard Record

Congratulations to Putrajaya, the Malaysian Waterski & Wakeboard Federation, and to Hanifah Yoong Yin Fah who has worked tirelessly in creating a very impressive squad of young Waterski and Wakeboard athletes in Malaysia – all in just two years !  Watch our for Malaysian athletes at major international events in the not too distant future. This sets a great example to other communities around the globe. The World Cup legacy is certainly alive and well !

Clementine Lucine scores 9100 points

We are almost losing count of the number of Pending World Shortboard Records set by the very talented Clementine Lucine FRA.  At the Sergio Zanardi Open staged at the famous Italian waterski site in Recetto north of Milan, Clementine clocked up a total of 9100 points. She becomes only the second woman ever to break the 9000 mark – just 20 points ahead of the Record set by Natalia Berdnikova BLR.

Three Eventer does it one more time

Clementine’s Pending World Record will now be reviewed and hopefully all will be correct to enable that new 9100 points score to stand.  Congratulations to our World Cup Star – Clementine Lucine.

Sebastien DiPasqua hangs up his Jump skis

Switzerland’s Sebastien DiPasqua has certainly blazed a trail of success during his outstanding career on the water. As one of our most respected World Cup athletes, he has decided to hang up his Jump skis and focus now on a new career. Recent injuries and thoughts of the future made the decision a natural one for him. Having studied Physical Training at the University of Dijon, he is well prepared for the next chapter in his distinguished life and we all wish him every success.

Sebastien excelled in the Jump event. Having broken the Swiss National Jump Record fourteen times, he also broke the European Jump Record twice, was ranked No. 1 in Europe and No. 4 in the World. As a World Cup Medalist, he was greatly respected throughout our World Cup global tour and proudly carried that Swiss flag along the way.

We all wish Sebastin DiPasqua a successful new career and thank him for all those thrilling moments which he provided for our World Cup fans over the past years. Good luck Seb from all our World Cup team.