IWSF World Cup News

 The International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) has just completed the 21st successful Stop of the current Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup series. To date, cash prizes in excess of US$2,000,000 have been paid to the athletes. TV shows of each Stop have been targeted at audiences of over 500 million viewers. News Releases have been distributed to 192 countries on every one of the 21 Stops completed. The search for suitable new downtown venues and event partners for the future continues as the momentum of the World Cup reaches new levels.

The venue for this 21st World Cup Stop was the Diplomatic Club on the Arabian Gulf in Doha in Qatar. Sponsored by Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), Aspire - Academy for Sports Excellence, MasterCraft, The Diplomatic Club and the IWSF, this was the perfect location for the final chapter of the season. With temperatures of 34C, a light cooling breeze and a spectacular setting against the impressive and rapidly changing Doha sky line, those who expected high standards on all fronts were not disappointed.

Having successfully completed the Asian Games one year ago at the nearby Aspire sports complex, running two major international Wakeboard events back to back was not a problem for Doha or the QMSF. Last week, the IWSF Wakeboard World Championships were completed successfully and now it was the turn of the World Cup series for Wakeboard Riders from ten countries. These included Korea, Republic of South Africa, USA, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Netherlands, Belgium, New Zealand and China. Only the highest performers qualify for IWSF World Cup invitations to compete for the US$60,000 Doha prize fund.

The winners of the last World Cup Wakeboard Stop in Singapore, Dallas Friday (USA) and Phillip Soven (USA), both arrived to attempt a double victory. Friday was also crowned IWSF World Wakeboard Champion last week. Andrew Adkison (USA) was also crowned IWSF World Wakeboard Champion at that time and he arrived here in Doha as a hot favorite.

Eight Women qualified for World Cup entry at the Diplomatic Club site. They formed two Heats of four Riders with the top three in each advancing to a six Rider Final. In the first group. Chen LiLi (CHN) had some bad luck on the day. However, Shelby Tantar (USA) dominated with a clear three point lead over Caitlin Blaauw (AUS). In the other Heat, Canada’s Sunni Ann Ball lost out as she struggled to overcome back pain. It was Dallas Friday who dominated that Heat. In the Finals, the 14 year old sensation from Florida, Raimi Merritt, who has clocked up four major titles in the past twelve months alone, almost did it again. Her score of 50.78 was extraordinary. This pushed Dallas Friday harder than she may have wished. However, Friday’s gymnastics background and rare talent gives her a major advantage and her score of 60.78 delivered the well deserved title of Doha IWSF Wakeboard World Cup Stop champion.

The Mens format was different. Eight qualifiers split in to four pairs in a Head-to-Head shoot out. Nobody wanted to be drawn against Phillip Soven (USA). He lost out on his chance to take the title of IWSF World Wakeboard Champion last week and was back with a vengeance. As predicted, he put in a stunning performance and beat Dan Nott (GBR) for a Semi-Final place. Surprisingly, the 2005 IWSF World Champion Jeff Weatherall (NZL) also failed to progress as Canada’s Chad Sharpe put in a first class performance. In the other pairings, Daniel Watkins (AUS) and Marc Rossiter (GBR) lost out. Eventually, the perfect finale emerged – Soven versus the new IWSF World Wakeboard Champion Andrew Adkison (USA). This time there was no doubt about the winner. Soven delivered an inspired routine, took the Doha Wakeboard World Cup Stop title and the US$15,000 first prize.

As a sign of the growth of this sport in the region and the impact of the IWSF Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup series, the Arab Wakeboard Open Championships, the Qatar Wakeboard Trophy and the Aspire Children’s Master Class lessons were also completed this week. The Master Classes performed by Patrice Martin and Rodo Vinh Tung attracted over 250 young Qatari children to the Diplomatic Club beach site. Kuno Ritschard, President of the IWSF, stated that the future growth potential for the sport in Qatar is enormous and such a high level of interest at junior level needs to be encouraged further.

This 21st IWSF World Cup Stop brings the 2007 season to a very successful conclusion. All of the 2007 IWSF World Cup Stops will be available shortly on DVD at http://www.sportsactiondvds.com The 2006 Series is also still available on DVD for both Wakeboard and Waterski fans at this address.

To see all the results of the Doha Stop of the IWSF World Cup series, go to this address :
http://www.iwsf.com/dbheadlines/headlinefiles/dohawakeboardworldcupresults.htm

PRO WOMEN RESULTS
1. Dallas Friday (USA)
2. Raimi Merritt (USA
3. Shelby Kantar (USA)

PRO MEN RESULTS
1. Phillip Soven (USA)
2. Andrew Adkison (USA)
3. Chad Sharpe (CAN) 

With no less than three sets of major Wakeboard titles to be won in the coming week, the Arabian Gulf City of Doha in Qatar will be the centre of attention for Riders and fans around the world. Sunshine and clear blue skies await the athletes in this country which created the world’s largest purpose built indoor sports dome. Qatar Marine Sports Federation President, H.E.Sheik Hassan Bin Jabor Althani, and Aspire, the Academy for Sports Excellence, are rightly proud of the enormous facility which houses an indoor Football Pitch, seven Outdoor Pitches, Olympic-sized Swimming Pool, Diving Pool, Combat Arena, Gymnastics Arena, Weight Rooms, Lecture Halls, Medical Centre, Catering facilities and dormitory space for 1,000 students. The International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) President, Kuno Ritschard, stated that he sees Doha as a vital base for high quality water sports development in the future.

For Sponsorship opportunities, contact marketing@iwsf.com

Web Site : www.iwsfworldcup.com

International Waterski Federation

Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup

Official Towboat Sponsor for 2007 World Cup

With a population of 907,000, Qatar in the Arabian Gulf is well used to boxing way beyond its weight. The Country successfully hosted the 15th Asian Games last December. An investment of $2.8 billion in infrastructure and sports facilities in the capital city of Doha set very high standards. With 9520 athletes from 45 Nations participating in 39 sports and 418 events, all agreed that this was the best Asian Games ever. Doha acted as a flag bearer for the whole region. Never before had a Middle Eastern country staged anything on this scale. Any visitor to the region should take time to see the world’s largest purpose built indoor sports dome in Doha which will eventually accommodate 1,000 students.

To add to this special sporting atmosphere, on October 25th, just before these championships commence, Doha Heir Apparent HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani will set off the fanfare to formally launch its 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid. A spectacular celebration has been planned on the waterfront Corniche. According to the 2016 Olympic Games bid Committee Chairman Hassan Ali bin Ali, the formal bid Logo and other themes will also be revealed at this time.

In September 2005, Moscow successfully hosted both the Wakeboard World Championships and a Wakeboard World Cup Stop. Here in Doha, hosting the Wakeboard World Championships plus the final Stop of the 2007 Wakeboard World Cup series over the period October 28th to November 3rd is seen as routine to the experienced Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF). Federation President, H.E.Sheik Hassan Bin Jabor Althani, has played a major role in leading this movement towards excellence in sport in Qatar. In addition to these events, Doha will also host the Annual Arab Wakeboard Championships. Under the auspices of the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) and with the support of Aspire / Academy for Sports Excellence and the Diplomatic Club of Qatar, these major events will take place back to back at the Canal adjacent to the Diplomatic Club. MasterCraft will supply all the boats and technical support. Q.Media are responsible for visual communications.

IWSF WAKEBOARD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

This major IWSF Wakeboard World Championships has had a global history with previous performances in France, South Africa, Brazil, Australia, Spain and Russia. This time in Doha approximately 150 Riders from 23 Nations are expected to compete. These will include Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Chinese Taipei, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, USA and United Arab Emirates. The defending Team Champions, USA, will face a very tough challenge once again from the 2005 silver medalists Belgium, and Australia who took third place in Moscow. To add to the excitement on this occasion, there is an opportunity for some Open Division male and female Riders to qualify for entry to the Wakeboard World Cup Stop later in the week. The Chief Judge will be Nuno Almeida d’Eca and the Assistant Chief Judge, Muhammad Suhardi. The Chief Boat Driver will be Martin James of MasterCraft.

IWSF 2007 WAKEBOARD WORLD CUP – FINAL STOP

The IWSF will celebrate its 21st successful World Cup Stop here in Doha. The series involves Slalom, Shortboard, Jump and Wakeboard. This Doha Stop is exclusively a Wakeboard Stop and is the last Stop of the 2007 series. At this point, the winners of the successful September World Cup Stop in Singapore will now be pushing hard to take the season title. At stake also is a Cash Prize purse of $60,000 plus the possibility of earning an entry to the 2008 World Cup series. Riders from the USA, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada are currently at the top of the World Cup points system. All of the 2006 Doha defending World Cup champions will also be competing. This promises to be a spectacular conclusion to a year of exceptional Wakeboard performances.

TIMETABLE

With current temperatures of 35C / 95Fh and light Arabian Gulf breezes, the action packed Wakeboard programme will take place under blue skies and glorious sunshine.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

October 30 – Qualification Rounds
October 31 – Heats & LCQ’s
November 1 – Semi Finals & Finals
November 2 – Finals
November 2 – Medals Presentation

OTHER CHAMPIONSHIPS

November 3 – Arab Wakeboard Championships

November 3 – Wakeboard World Cup Stop – Top 12 Men & 6 Women + 2 Wild Cards

November 3 – Closing Banquet at the Diplomatic Club

For Sponsorship opportunities, contact marketing@iwsf.com

Web Site : www.iwsfworldcup.com

International Waterski Federation		Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup		Official Towboat Sponsor for 2007 World Cup
Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence		Q.Media		The Diplomatic Club
World Championship Sports Network