SOVEN & CHINA'S CHEN LI LI WIN AT
HSBC WAKEBOARD WORLD CUP SINGAPORE 2004

SINGAPORE, 31 OCT 2004 - Over 12,000 spectators enjoyed a day of world-class wakeboarding, beautiful sunshine and plenty of treats on final day of the HSBC Wakeboard World Cup Singapore 2004 at Bedok Reservoir.

This ground-breaking event is the first ever major international watersports extravaganza held in a Singapore reservoir and is part of the inaugural International Water Ski Federation's (IWSF) World Cup circuit, which consists of waterskiing and wakeboarding events in seven major cities around the world.

After the men semi-finals where the 16-remaining qualifiers were cut down to eight, it was the women's turn to take centre stage. American Cathy Williams, the first of the six women finalists to perform, got the crowd warmed up, when she pulled off two great passes to score 51.75. Next up was recent WWC World Champion Robbie Rendo, but the Argentinean fell on her second pass and eventually finished fourth. American Melissa Marquardt was fourth to start and grabbed the lead with a 64.14 run. The final rider to perform was Asian champion Chen Li Li and the 17-year-old sensation got spectators on their feet with tricks out in the flats. "I don't really like to wakeboard in choppy conditions," said Chen, who hails from Shanghai, but spends most of her time training in Sichuan. "I didn't expect to win, but the conditions here were perfect and we had some pretty good wakes. The organisation of this event is world-class and the spectators are really supportive. I really enjoyed myself here and I hope to be back."

In the eight-men final, which featured three Australians, two Americans, one Kiwi, one Canadian and one South African, Australian Brett Eisenhaur, the third rider to start, was the early leader with a score of 71.34.

Reigning Australian Pro Tour champion Daniel Watkins lived up to his reputation as one of the most exciting riders in the world, when he pulled off a Pete Rose, KGB, Toeside Off Axis 720 and Crow Mobe and ended with his signature double back roll off the double-up to steal the lead. Next up was 2003 WWC World Champion Jeff Weatherall, but the Kiwi champion fell heavily on his first run and was out of contention. Second-last to compete was recent WWC World Champion Philip Soven and the 15-year-old sensation got the crowd cheering wildly after pulling off high-end tricks such as Toeside 720, Moby Dick, Pete Rose, Dum Dum, Whirly Bird 540, Crow Mobe 540 and a showstopper Off-Axis 720 off the double-up. Not surprisingly, the World Summer X Games champion earned the day's highest score and the biggest cheque of the day. Australian Dean Smith was the last rider off the dock, but although he pulled off a Dum Dum, KGB, Moby Dick, Slim Chance and Toeside 720, he could only settle for 3rd place with a Toeside Off Axis 540 off the double-up.

"We had perfect conditions today and this is one of the best venues for competitive wakeboarding around the world," said Soven, who has competed in Europe and is a regular on US Pro Tour. "I didn't expect the competition to be this tough today. It's good that Daniel Watkins went before me. After seeing his excellent run, I knew I needed a really big run. Thankfully, I managed to pull off my best ever run in a competition."

"This is the best event on the circuit this year," added Watkins. "I already felt it when I arrived in Singapore, the level of commitment from the organisers, sponsors and spectators is fantastic and I can't wait to come back next year. When you ride on the water, you can feel the excitement from the crowd who's cheering for you on shore." From the hefty US$50,000 prize purse, men's champion Soven collected US$15,000, while Watkins and Smith settled for US$10,000 and US$7,000 respectively. Women's winner Chen Li Li meantime earned herself a hefty US$4,000 pay cheque. Parks Board and Singapore Pools.

RESULTS (FINAL DAY)

PRO MEN SEMI FINALS

Heat 1 (Top 4 qualifies for final):

1. Dean Smith (AUS) 84.28
2. Jeff Weatherall (NZ) 81.87
3. Morgan Krause (RSA) 76.02
4. Chad Sharpe (CAN) 74.56
5. Matt Lammers (RSA) 67.90
6. Stephane Tranne (FRA) 54.70
7. Xavier Bonnet (BEL) 44.28
8. Scotty Broome (AUS) 28.30,

Heat 2(Top 4 qualifies for final):

1. Phillip Soven (USA) 80.80
2. Daniel Watkins (AUS) 79.20
3. Brett Eisenhaur (AUS) 68.41
4. Mike Ennen (USA) 67.61
5. Dan Nott (GBR) 56.42
6. Yann Calvez (FRA) 40.97
7. Jesson Vedel (TAH) 33.88
8. Josh Sanders (AUS) 16.30

PRO WOMEN FINAL

1. Chen Li Li (CHN) 74.67
2. Melissa Marquardt (USA) 64.14
3. Cathy Williams (USA) 51.75
4. Robbie Rendo (ARG) 44.30
5. Megan McNeill (USA) 42.56
6. Louise Moore (ENG) 35.64.

PRO MEN FINAL

1. Phillip Soven (USA) 89.33
2. Daniel Watkins (AUS) 88.40
3. Dean Smith (AUS) 77.60
4. Brett Eisenhaur (AUS) 71.34
5. Morgan Krause (RSA) 69.86
6. Mike Ennen (USA) 62.81
7. Chad Sharpe (CAN) 40.84
8. Jeff Weatherall (NZ) 18.47