With the 43rd Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup Stop scheduled for this weekend in the beautiful Indian Ocean City of Mandurah in Western Australia, approaching weather systems are causing some concerns. Only once in its successful history has the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) had to alter its World Cup programme. That was in Changshu China almost ten years ago! The weekend Action Sports Games activities will also include FMX, BMX, Scooter and Skate. With thunderstorms and rain forecasted for this coming Saturday and Sunday, one option being considered is to bring forward part of the World Cup schedule to Friday, March 13th. Temperatures are set to drop from 33C to 25C. An announcement is expected shortly. The Official Opening Ceremony is scheduled for 18.30hrs onsite on Friday. This will be attended by Hon Dr Kim Hames, MLA, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Tourism, the City of Mandurah Mayor Marina Vergone and many other dignitaries. Waterski and Wakeboard athletes from 21 countries will take part, including Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Thailand and USA. Following their gold medal successes in last weekend’s Moomba Masters in Melbourne, the entry will include Freddy Krueger (USA), Jacinta Carroll (AUS) and Harley Clifford (AUS). Krueger and Carroll took the Waterski Jump titles in Melbourne and Clifford the Wakeboard title. All will push hard to make it two major successes in a row, weather permitting. As it happens, all three will also defend their 2014 Mandurah World Cup titles this weekend. Raimi Merritt (USA) will also take part as the Mandurah Wakeboard 2014 defending champion. Mastercraft have provided the competition boats and support services for all 42 World Cup Stops to date and will do so once again this weekend. The provisional World Cup timetable still stands till further notice : FRIDAY 07.00 – 14.30 Official Practice SATURDAY 09.15 – 13.45 Semi-Finals Men & Women Jump 13.45 – 16.15 Quarter-Finals Men Wakeboard 16.15 – 17.45 LCQ Wakeboard Women 18.00 – 18.30 Show Ski WA Display SUNDAY 08.30 – 10.30 LCQ Wakeboard Men 10.30 – 11.20 Final Women Jump 11.30 – 12.30 Final Men Jump 12.30 – 14.30 Semi-Finals Wakeboard Men 14.30 – 15.30 Finals Wakeboard Women 15.30 – 16.30 Finals Wakeboard Men 17.00 – 17.30 Award Presentations Live scores will be available throughout at : www.iwwfed-ea.org/classic/competitions/2014 Website : www.WaterskiandWakeboardWorldCup.com Website : www.IWWFED.com Facebook : www.facebook.com/IWWFED?ref=hl |
IWWF CONTACT : Des Burke-Kennedy, Media Chairman, International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation |