Wakeboard World Cup Series Returns to China

Celebrating ten years of success, the Wakeboard World Cup Series of the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) will return to Linyi China on September 20/21. For the historic city with a 2500-year history and ten million population, this will be the highlight of the weekend as sixteen countries are all set to compete in Linyi World Cup. The spectacular venue will see this year very strong Australian riders as well as the wakeboarder of the year, Harley Clifford.

19. 9. 2014

The purpose-built grandstands on the shores of the Yi River will be packed with enthusiastic fans.They will welcome the IWWF’s top ranked Riders from sixteen countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Republic of South Africa, Sweden, Thailand and USA. Temperatures are expected to be a comfortable 25C. MasterCraft will provide the boats and full technical support as they have done since the creation of the World Cup Series in 2004.

Earlier this year, three Australian Riders caused a sensation by taking all three medals at the Mandurah Australia World Cup Stop. They will be back again in Linyi to try to make it another Australian World Cup clean sweep. This super-star trio will include World Champion and recently crowned Wakeboarder of the Year, Harley Clifford, Mandurah World Cup silver medalist, Cory Teunissen, and Mandurah World Cup bronze medalist, Tony Iacconi. However, this dream finish for Australia could well be upset by the enormous talent of Japan’s Shota Tezuka, Ireland’s David O’Caoimh and Russia’s Nikita Martianov.

Now that Pro Rider Raimi Merritt USA has recovered fully from her ankle injury, she is hotly tipped to take the Linyi Women’s World Cup gold medal. However, Bec Gange AUS will push hard to get back on top following her silver medal victory in Mandurah last March. Australia’s other international star Rider Amber Wing will also be in there with a fighting chance of taking the honors. All in all, this has the makings of a major Australian challenge for World Cup medals if the other fifteen countries Riders give them half a chance.

Wakeboarder of the Year, Harley Clifford

a great white hope - Japanese Shota Tezuka

The weekend’s entertainment will also include three spectacular displays by one of China’s best known Show Ski Teams. Show Skiing is now the most popular discipline of the sport in China and a Show Ski team representing China was a top contender at the World Show Ski Tournament in Wisconsin USA last weekend.

LINYI WORLD CUP TIMETABLE

FRIDAY - September 19th

12.00 – 14.00 – Practice Pro Women
14.15 – 17.30 – Practice Pro Men

SATURDAY - September 20th

09.30 – 11.00 – Opening Ceremony & Waterski Show
11.00 – 12.15 – Semi-Finals Pro Women
14.00 - 16.00 – Quarter-Finals Pro Men
16.30 – 17.45 – LCQ Pro Men

SUNDAY - September 21st

09.00 – 09.45 – LCQ Pro Women
09.45 – 10.15 – Waterski Show
10.15 – 11.30 – Semi-Finals Pro Men
14.00 – 14.45 – Final Pro Women
14.45 – 15.30 – Final Pro Men
15.30 – 16.45 – Waterski Show
16.45 – 17.15 – World Cup Award Ceremony

China is also forging ahead with the development of Cable Wakeboard Parks and already has constructed a major facility at their Shunyi Beijing Olympic Rowing Lake. The next World Cup Stop will again feature Cable events in Shanghai on October 4/5th.

Photos: © IWWFED, copyright applied.

Source: http://www.waterskiandwakeboardworldcup.com

19. 9. 2014