USA, FRANCE AND GREAT BRITAIN DOMINATE TEAM SCORES AT SPECTACULAR VANKE WATERSKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CHINA 8/25/2005
Four days of very competitive Preliminary Rounds, glorious sunshine, live TV coverage with 20 cameras on site and first class facilities, all set a perfect stage for the 2005 Finals of the Vanke Waterski World Championships at Dongli Lake in Tianjin, China. The DongLi Lake Spa Resort location is a two hour drive south east of Beijing.
The highly impressive night time Opening Ceremony set the tone for the entire Championships. The Beijing Opera performers, Chinese traditional music portraying the Tang Dynasty, Fireworks, Lighting Displays, Water Ballet, Dragons, Drums and Show Skiing, were a sign of the standards anticipated. None were disappointed by what followed.
The bi-annual IWSF World Championships attracted 144 Skiers from 28 countries. The attendance included Mr Wei Di, Director of the Watersports Administration Centre of General Administration of Sport, and Mr Kuno Ritschard, President of the International Waterski Federation. The daily live television coverage audience was approximately 800 million viewers. The Nautique competition boats were all supplied by CorrectCraft.
In Slalom, two new World Champions were crowned. The Mens Slalom event was full of drama. World Record breakers, Chris Parrish (USA) and Jamie Beauchesne (USA), surprised all by failing to get to the 4.5 buoys on the short 10.75m rope length to qualify for the Finals. Then the reigning World Slalom Champion, Jeff Rodgers (USA) was beaten into third place by the two young British athletes, Glenn Campbell and William Asher. Both tied with a score of 3.0 buoys on the 10.25m line forcing a run-off to decide the winner. The 23 year old Asher, who took the Slalom Silver Medal in the 2003 World Championships, got his revenge this time by taking the Gold Medal on DongLi Lake. The Womens Slalom event was equally thrilling. Reigning World Champion Emma Sheers (AUS) could not compete following recent knee surgery. It took a score of 2 buoys on the 11.25m rope to qualify for the Finals. Hot favorite Karen Truelove (USA) was pipped into 3rd place by Britain’s Sarah Green. The 21 year old from Atlanta, Georgia, Regina Jaquess (USA), was in a class of her own. Having captured the title of World Trick Champion at just 16 years of age and World Overall Champion at 19 years of age, she now added the title of World Slalom Champion to her exceptional achievements list of 59 international medals achieved to date.
In Tricks, once again the best rose to the top. Nicolas LeForestier (FRA) had a performance to forget in the last World Championships in the USA. This time out, his Gold Medal performance in China was flawless with a Course Record and a World Championships best performance of 11,860 points. Behind him in the Silver and Bronze positions were Aliaksei Zharnasek (BLR) and Javier Julio (ARG). In the Womens Tricks event, the reigning World Champion was again unbeatable. The Texan athlete Mandy Nightingale (USA) successfully defended her World Tricks Champion title with a score of 7490 points. Greek athlete and Silver Medalist Ageliki Andriououlou beat the 16 year old sensation Michale Briant (AUS) into third place.
In Jump, a light wind played a sporadic role. At times it was blowing in the wrong direction for the athletes. All coped well in the 32C sunshine and blue skies. Again, the loss of the reigning World Champion, Emma Sheers (AUS), made the Women’s outcome totally unpredictable. The hot favorite, Denmark’s June Fladborg, came out best from the Preliminary Round. Her Final’s score of 51.2m would even have given her the Gold Medal in the last World Championships. This time around, it earned her the Silver Medal. British Jumper, Jakalyn Hunter was thrilled to secure the Bronze Medal. However, the Business Graduate from Athens, Greece, Ageliki Andriopoulou, added the title of World Jump Champion to her new Silver Medal in Tricks making this a World Championships to remember. Her distance was 52.4m. She was also the first Greek athlete ever to take this Jump title. The Mens Jump event was also a thriller. Jimmy Siemers (USA) demolished a ski fin with a dangerously late cut to the Jump Ramp and a distance of 65m. However, it was always going to be a battle between Canada’s Jaret Llewellyn and the reigning World Champion, Freddy Krueger (USA). Krueger has had the better innings in this past year but Llewellyn took the recent World Cup title in Russia. Both set new Course Records here in the Preliminary Round. Krueger came out on top then with a distance of 68.7m. The scene was set for a classic duel in Tianjin, China, for the World Jump title. Jaret Llewellyn now clocked up a score of 69.1m on the Finals score board before Freddy Krueger took to the water. This was close enough to a World Record to totally enthrall the cheering spectators. An unpredictable gusty hot breeze prevailed. The best that Krueger could manage was 66.4m for the Silver Medal position – 2.7m short of Lewellyn. Britain’s Jason Seels was just 0.1m behind Krueger to take the Bronze Medal. Jaret Llewellyn was the new 2005 World Jump Champion, having been 4th in the last World Championships.
The Overall contest is the Triathlon of Waterskiing. The top four qualifying athletes from the Preliminary Round fight a stand-alone battle for the Overall title – a totally self contained competition. In the Women’s event, Regina Jaquess (USA), proved impossible to beat with outstanding performances in both Slalom and Tricks. The World Champion retained her title. In the Mens event, by dominating Tricks and scoring strongly in Jump, Jimmy Siemers (USA) also proved impossible to beat. The reigning World Champion also retained his title.
USA Team Manager, Frank Harrison, smiled confidently as USA Skiers took the highest Team scores in both Slalom, Tricks and Jump. This guaranteed the Team Gold Medal for the USA. France came 5th in the last World Championships – but secured the Silver Medal position this time in China with a great Tricks performance. Great Britain held on to their 3rd place from the previous World Championships with high points in both Slalom and Jump.
The exceptional site facilities, the first class organization, the combined efforts of Tianjin City, DongLi Lake Zone and the Chinese Waterski Association, all combined to make the Vanke Waterski World Championships one of the best ever staged with the International Waterski Federation. Having the 2008 Olympic Games on the horizon, China has every good reason to be confident for a great deal of sporting success in the future.
RESULTS; click here!
SUNDAY; HERE ARE THE RESULTS! http://schnitzskis.com/pages/460911/index.html
SATURDAY; A DAY OF JUMP PRELIMINARIES PLUS SLALOM & TRICKS FINALS
Perfect weather, big crowds, live TV to 800 million viewers and some spectacular performances on the water. The Vanke World Waterski Championships have so far been one of the best in memory.
At 7.00am, some unfinished business was completed. The Ladies Jump Preliminary round. With 20 Skiers chasing 12 Final's places, this was going to be a tough battle. Stinne Soendergaard (DEN) was third off the dock and a nasty crash on her first jump made us all a bit edgy. She finished her set but now has a bandaged left arm. Nothing broken. Karina Nowlan (AUS) was sixth off the dock and her 46.2m distance set the tone for the remaining 14 Jumpers.
Simona Ravaioli (ITA) pushed this up to 48.2m before we moved in to the Series 1 athletes. From there on, the lowest distance was 46.8 and all the 10 in this group made it through. The highlight was the performance of June Fladborg (DEN) - the only one to break the fifty meter barrier. Her 51.0m distance laid down a marker for the Finals on Sunday afternoon - plus a new Course Record.
Now it was time for the Slalom Finals - with the Men first. A slight head breeze and good water was a perfect setting. To win the last World Championships in Florida, Jeff Rodgers (USA) set a score of 2 buoys on the 10.25m line. Marco Riva (ITA) was first off the dock - and his opening score was the same 2 buoys on that same line !
This stunned all present and we knew we were about to witness a classic Slalom Final. Fellow Italian, Matteo Ianni equalled this score - and so did Drew Ross (CAN). Now we had a three way tie at the top. Young Will Asher (GBR) then entered the stage. He had a point to prove having come second to Jeff Rodgers in the last World Championships. A standing ovation greeted his 3 buoys on the 10.25m line - a new leader by just one buoy. Guess who came next ? Yes, it was the defending champion himself, Jeff Rodgers.
The crowd gasped as he went down with 2 buoys on the 10.25m line to join that traffic jam. Two skiers left on the dock. Fellow Brit Glen Campbell now looked like a serious contender. His score ? Three buoys on the 10.25m line ! Will and Glen at the top. Only Chris Rossi (USA) was left to spoil the party for them now. The pressure was too much. He came ashore with 4.5 buoys on the longer 11.25m line. So now we had a run-off between Will and Glen - leaving the dock on the 10.75m line ! Glen was first off and went down at buoy 3.5.
Will coasted out to buoy 4 and we had a new Vanke World Waterski Slalom Champion. At a packed Press Conference held minutes later, Will Asher thanks all his family, sponsors and British Waterski for their great support.Even the journalists applauded !
The Ladies came next. Here it was the 11.25m line which was the centre of attention. With the defending World Champion Emma Sheers recovering from knee surgery back in Australia, we were destined to have a new gold medalist. A weak head wind started to dictate tactics in the later stages.
The first nine skiers all started on the 14.25m line. Two scored 4 buoys on the 11.25m line - Natalie Hamrick (USA) and Karen Truelove (USA). Then Regina Jaquess (USA) switched to a 16m line start to come in to the wind on the 11.25m line.It paid off - with a great score of 6 buoys on the 11.25m line. She lost the handle just at the exit gate ! With just two skiers left, she would definitely be on the podium.
The last two also started on the longer 16m line ! Sarah Green (GBR) scored 4 on the 11.25m line but her better Prelims performance now put her in second place. April Coble Eller was last off. With more experience than all the others, the advantage was hers. However, on the day she could not get beyond 1 buoy on the 11.25m line. The new World Slalom Champion was Regina Jaquess (USA) with second and third going to Sarah Green (GBR) and Karen Truelove (USA). Regina's father Jim assured me that he was far more nervous than his daughter !
The Tricks Finals came last. Men first. As in Slalom, the first skier off the dock set the pace. Jorge Renosto (ARG) scored 9860 points. Number five off the dock was Oleg Deviatovski (BLR) and he pushed it up to 9980. Number 7 off the dock was the World Record holder, Nicolas LeForestier (FRA).
He had a disaster in the last World Championships with a 21st place result. Now he had a point to prove. He did just that with a huge score, a new Course Record and a World Championships Record of 11,860 points. Javier Julio (ARG) got close with 10,560 points. In the Prelims, Aliaksei Zharnasek (BLR) set a Course Record of 11,470 points - and true to form, he repeated this again just after the great performance of LeForestier. That's the way it ended - Nicolas LeForestier now had the title of World Trick Champion - with Aliaksei and Javier the runners up.
The last event of today was the Ladies Tricks Finals. Twelve competitors. Mandy Nightingale (USA) was here to defend her title. The first big score came from the sixth competitor and she is just 15 years of age ! Michale Briant (AUS) scored an amazing 6650 for her age. Would she make the Podium with this ?
We had another 15 year old yet to come. Whitney McClintock however had to accept a score of 6410 points - not enough. Mandy Nightingale was next and she looked like she was really enjoying herself ! Her score was 7490 - another Course Record. Greece came next with only two skiers on the dock. In spite going down with a half pass remaining Ageliki Andriopoulou clocked up a big score of 6710 points. That's roughly how it ended. Mandy Nightingale (USA) defended her title to perfection - with the runners up being Ageliki and Michale.
Tomorrow we have the Overall battle plus the Jump Finals. The Overall qualifiers are as follows :
Men - Jimmy Siemers (USA), Aliaksei Zharnasek (BLR), Javier Julio (ARG) and Jaret Llewellyn (CAN).
Women - Regina Jaquess (USA), Clementine Lucine (USA), Ageliki Andriopoulou (GRE), and Whitney McClintock (CAN).
We get to sleep in tomorrow morning with an 8.00am start!
FRIDAY; COURSE RECORDS DEMOLISHED IN FRIDAY'S PRELIMINARY ROUNDS AT THE VANKE WATERSKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Following some real early week weather challenges, we now have perfect conditions. Temperatures are about 28C with slight head breezes and not a cloud in the sky.The forecast is also good.
The top guns were on stage today. Series 2 & 1 Men and Women in Tricks and also Series 2 & 1 Mens Jump. They all chased the elusive 12 places available in each Final. In Series 2 Mens Tricks, Jorge Renosto (ARG) came out on top with a score of 8940 points.It looked like it might take at least that to even get into the top 12. With 15 yet to come in Series 1, this was a nail biter for the Argentinian. In Series 1, five skiers exceeded 10,000 and one exceeded 11,000 - and it was not the World Record holder, Nicolas LeForestier (FRA) this time. Aliaksei Zharnasek (BLR) actually broke the Course Record with a score of 11,470 points and came out on top.
True to form, Jaret Llewellyn (CAN) clocked up 10,560 points in an effort also to earn his way into the Overall Finals. The other 10,000+ scorers were Javier Julio (ARG), World Trick Champion Jimmy Siemers (USA), Nicolas LeForestier (FRA), Olivier Fortamps (BEL) and Ryan Green (AUS).The big disappointment was for Russell Gay (USA) with a score of 8380 points and this did not look good enough for the Finals. Jorge Renosto eventually made it through in glorious sunshine.
In Women's Tricks, the World Overall Champion, Regina Jaquess (USA) took the top spot and broke her own Course Record with a score of 7400. All the other Series 1 contestants made it through. However, Brigitte Lethem (FRA) tied with Tatiana Churakova (RUS) with a score of 5580 and in a run-off for the final place, Churakova pushed Lethem out of the Finals selection.
When it was time for Jump, the hot sun and blue sky created a special atmosphere. A slight head breeze added to the anticipation. There were 16 Jumpers in Series 2 - chasing 12 Finals places. The best was Javier Julio (ARG) with a distance of 62.3m. Was this enough to beat the Series 1 Jumpers ? With 16 in Series 1, the chances were not great. Jaret Llewellyn(CAN) was fourth off the dock. Each jump got better for him. On jump three, he kicked a massive 65.5m - and broke the Course Record.
This really got the crowd on their feet. Thomas Fenzl (AUT), nineth off the dock, surprised many by equalling Llewellyn's big distance. Next came the current World Jump Champion, Freddy Krueger (USA). On jump number one, he landed 68.7m down DongLi Lake ! Another new Course Record. He stole the show and looked very happy with the full set up on the water. The Sunday Final should be something special. Eventually, Javier Julio (ARG), lost out by 0.1m to Dane Puxty (AUS) in his battle for a Finals place.
Just as we left the site in the setting sun a few minutes ago, the Overall Men details were released. Those who qualified are : Jimmy Siemers (USA), Aliaksei Zharnasek (BLR), Javier Julio (ARG) and Jaret Llewellyn (CAN).
THURSDAY; BIG SURPRISES TODAY AT THE VANKE WATERSKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Today was about as good as it gets ! From 6.00am, we had blue skies, gentle head breezes and a comfortable 25C / 80Fh temperature for a day of great Preliminary Rounds. It was also a day of big surprises. Britta Grebe Llewellyn (AUT) had a score of 2.25 buoys on the 11.25m line from the previous Series and this was the target for today's Slalom women. We started with the Ladies Series 2 & I. The first off the dock of the 20 Skiers in these Series at 7.00am was young Jamie Metcalf (NZL). She immediately clocked up a score of 2 buoys on the 11.25m line - enough to go straight to the Finals !
Clementine Lucine (FRA) had shoulder surgery 10 days ago and somehow beat the pain barrier with a brave score of 1 buoy on the 11.25m line - but not enough to make it through. Fifteen of the 20 also got on to the same line. The top scorer, April Coble Eller (USA) went one better with a score of I buoy on the shorter 10.75m line. This was just 0.5 buoys short of a Course Record. Of the 12 who made it to the Finals, 7 were from the USA. It took a score of 2 buoys or better on the 11.25m line to advance to the Finals.
Series 2 & 1 Men came next in Slalom. Conditions were perfect with a slight tail wind on the opening pass. Thirty of the World's best were about to enter the sun drenched arena. A total of 19 Skiers reached the 10.75m line - or better. Ivan Morros (ESP) was fourth off the dock. His score of 5.5 buoys on the 10.75m line confirmed that this was really a quality field. Chris Rossi (USA) then clocked up 3 buoys on the 10.25m line to add FIVE buoys to the DongLi Lake Course Record.
Cheering greeted Jeff Rodgers (USA) as he came to the dock. The past World Record holder equalled Rossi's score - but we still had the then co-holder of the World Record Jamie Beauchesne (USA) plus Chris Parrish (USA),the holder of the new World Record, to compete. What a prospect ! This is where you could have lost your shirt. Both failed to reach the 4.25 buoys required. The gasp from the audience said it all.
The new European Slalom Champion, Thomas Degasperi (ITA) also bombed out. Britain grabbed all the headlines with Jodi Fisher, Will Asher and Glen Campbell all qualifying. Campbell also equalled the Course Record. So, the loss of World Record holders opened the door for the two Italians, Marco Riva and Matteo Ianni. Now anybody can win the World Chgampion title on Saturday.
The Series 3 Mens Jump round came last. The star of the show was Felipe Miranda CHI) with a distance of 60.8m. However, all were moved by the great performances of Shu Zheng (CHN) who set a new National Record for China of 52.1m - and Hiroyuki Kurisawa (JPN) who set a new National Record for Japan of 49.8m.
Sunshine, Course Records, National Records - and some real Slalom shocks, made this a day to remember. Friday will be a day of the last Preliminaries in Tricks and Jump.The weather forecast is great. The Saturday and Sunday Finals promise to be something very special here in Tianjin.
WEDNESDAY; DongLi Lake Tianjin China
Tuesday afternoon was cancelled. Heavy rain and strong winds were just too much to cope with. In nearby Tianjin, the flooded streets almost closed parts of the City. At DongLi lake, it was not so bad. This all caused the Mens Series 3 & 4 Tricks to be shifted to today.
With an earlier Start Time this morning of 07.00, it was a cooler 27C with some light drizzle but skiable. Mens Tricks Series 3 & 4 produced few surprises. The top performer was Jean Christoph Fortamps (BEL) with a score of 5710, followed closely by Esteban Siegert (COL) with 4940 and Chinese Skier Shi Longfei with 4600 points. It may take well over 8000 points to capture one of the 12 Finals places.
It required a score of 11,660 to give Jimmy Siemers (USA) the title of World Tricks Champion at the last World Championships in Florida. In Ladies Tricks, there were two outstanding performances. Young Jaime Metcalf (NZL) earned 4650 points to beat all in this Series. However, Britta Grebe Llewellyn (AUT) returned from raising a family to set the second best score of 4440 points and is still smiling.It may take over 6000 points to get to the Finals but both received loud applause for their efforts.
At this point, there was a steady weather improvement - as forecasted - no rain, dropping winds and signs of blue sky. Slalom Series 4 & 3 for Men began with much improved water conditions. Series 4 had nine competitors. Only one of the first 5 achieved a score on the 11.25m line - and that was Jimmy Siemers (USA) with 1.5 buoys. This equalled yesterday's score by Jonathan Cannon (CHK). Only two others in Series 4 also got to this rope length - Aliaksei Zharnasek (BLR) with an equal score - and Jorgen Jansson (SWE) with 2 buoys to take the lead. As Series 3 commenced, the water improved again for the 15 Slalom Skiers in this section.
Second off the dock, Jacob Londstrom (SWE) pushed the lead up to 3 Buoys on the 11.25m line. Skier number seven, Igor Morozov (RUS) equalled this to share the lead. It stayed like this till Skier number 12 took to the water when a little drama entered the arena. Somehow, Clint Stadlbauer (BEL) ran his 12m line pass twice by accident. On his re-ride, he pushed the lead up to 5.5 buoys on the same 11.25m line. The last Skier off the dock was British athlete Thomas Asher. With a very impressive 4.5 buoys, he took second best place today behing Stadlbauer. It is however, likely to take a score on the shorter 10.75m rope to gain a Finals place.
In glorious sunshine, a rising temperature of 25C / 80Fh, and very light breezes, it was time for Jump with Ladies Series 3 coming first. The best by far in this round was young Whitney McClintock (CAN) with a very impressive 45.0m distance. Almost seven meters behind was Olga Pavlova (BLR) with 38.6m and Breanne Wagner (CAN) with 37.4m. In the last World Championships it took a distance of 46.3m to get to the Finals. Whitney McClintock may just make it. Mens Series 4 & 3 were to follow. We kicked off with Series 4 and eight challengers. Ireland's Jody Waterworth set the scene with a distance of 41.6m. Next came Alejandro Lamadrid (MEX) with a bigger 45.5m. Nobody else beat this. However, the next Skier, Sergio Uribe (COL) equalled it.
Dongha Kim of Korea took the third slot with 42.7m. The only two incidents were a crash from Jimin Jeong (KOR) which saw him limping back to his hotel but with no broken bones. Blinding sunshine gave re-rides to Bernardo Graf (MEX)and Martin Kolman (CZE), but neither gained the leading places as the powerful CorrectCraft boat headed back to the dock for the final time today. At the last World Championships, it required a distance of 63.3m to enter the Finals. Freddy Krueger became World Jump Champions with a distance of 68.3m. The super stars have yet to appear !
At this stage, darkness was on the way and Mens Series 3 Jump was rescheduled for Thursday - after Slalom. The red sunset, beautiful weather and spectacular DongLi Lake site sent all back to their hotels with raised spirits and great anticipation. The coming days promise to see a really great last stage to the Vanke Waterski World Championships here in Tianjin, China.
TUESDAY - SPECTACULAR START TO VANKE WATERSKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN TIANJIN, CHINA
Most World Championships kick off with an Opening Ceremony. In China, this is done on a grand scale. With CCTV providing live coverage for 800 million viewers, over 300 people involved in the Ceremony coordination and display, the 142 visiting athletes from 28 countries witnessed something very special. The perfectly timed night time programme included water ballet, the Beijing Opera, barefoot skiing, show skiing with two enormous pyramids, drums, dragons, lions and a show stopping fireworks display. This set a tone of excellence for the serious week ahead.
Today, Tuesday, saw the start of the Preliminary rounds - with Slalom for Men and Women first. Following three days of 34C / 98F temperatures, the forecasters predicted some rain today and better conditions for the following period. They were correct. The perfect 8.00am start saw 20 men ready for the challenge - followed by 23 women. These included the best athletes from the countries involved. All fell within the Series 3,4,5 or 6 Seedings. The superstars come later.
In Mens Slalom, a gusty side wind and Vanke World Championship nerves played havoc with some performances. On the unlucky end were Barry Galvin (IRL), Alejandro Lamadrid (MEX) and Carlos Chicharro (CHI). None could clear the 14m Slalom line pass. Both Olivier Fortamps (BEL) and Jachong Park (KOR) tied with scores of 3 buoys on the 12m slalom line. However, the star of these series was Jonathan Cannon of Chinese Hong Kong - with an inpressive score of 1.5 buoys on the 11.25m slalom line.It may not be enough for a Finals position.
As the Women Slalom Skiers prepared to try to qualify for the Finals, the weather forecasters looked more and more accurate - with stronger gusty side winds and rain on the horizon now adding to the challenge. Of the 23 women, six reached the 12m Slalom line. The best of these were Karina Nowlan (AUS) with a score od 4.4 buoys and Megan Ross (NZL) with 3.5 buoys. However, Britta Grebe Llewellyn (AUT) stunned all present with an outstanding score of 2.25 buoys on the 11.25m line. Having taken some years off to start a family with her famous husband Jaret Llewellyn (CAN), considering the deteriorating conditions, this was a great performance. We will have to wait a few more days to see if it was enough to see her in Saturday's Finals.
At this point, the CorrectCraft boat was shrouded in driving rain and the driver was ordered back to the dock for the day by the Chief Judge, Thomas Ludwig from Germany. This will see the Tricks Preliminary round pushed forward to early on Wednesday morning.
One last piece of drama ! Reigning World Slalom Champion, Jeff Rogers (USA), has arrived ! His late decision to defend his title comes as great news for all. At the 2003 Waterski World Championships, he arrived on the morning of the event - having driven through the night to compete! His arrival will certainly ensure a very exciting Saturady Slalom final no matter what the outcome.
CONTACT : Des Burke-Kennedy, Media Chairman, International Waterski Federation
For Sponsorship opportunities, contact marketing@iwsf.com
MONDAY - DONGLI LAKE AND HOT SPRING RESORT - TIANJIN CHINA
Tianjin, with a population of 12 million, is about 90 minutes drive south east of Beijing. This is also a major national transportation crossroads and is the nearest Port to Beijing.The City of Tianjin, DongLi Zone, China Watersports Administration, the Chinese Waterski Association and many other groups have all combined to present this 2005 Vanke Waterski World Championships. CorrectCraft have provided the competition boats for the entire programme.
Today is the final day of Practice. Some of the last countries on the water will be the USA and Great Britain.The strikes at London's Heathrow Airport have played havoc with some travel plans but all seem to have survived so far. Yesterday, there was a slight tail wind here but this has virtually died off today. Most of us are struggling with the 34C / 108Fh temperatures and high humidity but after 24 hours here, its not a problem.This is a spectacular hot spring resort and so the water is fast and almost feels like sea water. The Jumpers appear to be happy so far and I've heard no complaints from the others.
The level of organisation is superb. Skiers are accommodated in two good hotels a short two minutes walk from the site. The most eyecatching feature is the spectacular glass "Club House"and its 62m high control tower at one end of the lake.We expect to have 40 TV cameras on site for the remainder of the week. Tianjin TV and CCTV Channels 4 & 5 will cover the event and it will go out live to an audience here of 800 million ! Our own IWSF Media Releases will go to 16,500 contacts in 192 countries.
In two hours, the Teams Captains Meeting will be held in the glass Control Tower. Tonight, a spectacular Opening Ceremony is planned for 7.00pm here on DongLi Lake - Dragons, Drums,Light Shows, Beijing Opera, Dancers and Fireworks will all be featured.
At this moment Will Asher, Tom Asher and Glen Campbell (GBR) are all on the dock - two passes for practice. They got three hours sleep after a late arrival. Frank Harrison has all his USA team on site and Regina Jaquess and Mandy Nightingale are presently warming up. I am waiting to see Clementine Lucine as we have some drama here. She had keyhole shoulder surgery just over ONE week ago and of course is a strong contender for the Womens Overall title. Knowing her, this will increase her determination - but it will be quite a test for her.
World Slalom Champion, Jeff Rodgers (USA) will not arrive till tomorrow. 'Remember his last World Championships story - worked all day the day before the competition, drove through the night to get to the Florida Swiss Ski School site - and then took the title ! Well, he is not making it much easier this time either. Till recently, it looked like he was not coming. Then he made a late decision to travel - and now he will just about make the deadline. China has a team of four men and two women and I'm sure the audience will give them a great welcome.
The stage is set. Tomorrow is our first serious day with the Preliminary Rounds. The running order will be available in a few hours - and then we will begin to see what standards will be reached here on DongLi Lake. This has all the ingredients to make it one of the best World Waterski Championships ever.The coordination of all the important Chinese groups has been a real success story. Now it is all up to our Skiers !
Report by Des Burke-Kennedy
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Date
Time
Event
Sat Aug 13
Arrival day and accreditation at Tianquan Hotspring Hotel
Sun Aug 14
Arrival day and accreditation at Tianquan Hotspring Hotel
Sun Aug 14
Official Practice
Sun Aug 14
Meeting of the IWSF Bureau Tianjin Golden Crown Hotel
Sun Aug 14
Arrival day and accreditation at Tianquan Hotspring Hotel
Mon Aug 15
Arrival day and accreditation at Tianquan Hotspring Hotel
Mon Aug 15
Official Practice
Mon Aug 15
16:00
Team captains meeting Main Building
Mon Aug 15
17:00
Jury meeting Main Building
Mon Aug 15
19:30
World Tournament Council Meeting Tianjin Golden Crown Hotel
Tue Aug 16
07:00-09:45
Prelim slalom men series 6/5
Tue Aug 16
09:55-12:55
Prelim slalom women series 5/4/3
Tue Aug 16
13:05-16:35
Prelim tricks men series 4/3
Tue Aug 16
16:35-17:50
Prelim tricks women series 4/3
Tue Aug 16
Executive Board Meeting Tianjin Golden Crown Hotel
Wed Aug 17
07:00-09:00
Prelim jump women series 4/3
Wed Aug 17
09:00-13:00
Prelim jump men series 5/4/3
Wed Aug 17
13:00-16:00
Prelim slalom men series 4/3
Wed Aug 17
Executive Board Meeting Tianjin Golden Crown Hotel
Thu Aug 18
07:00-09:30
Prelim slalom women series 2/1
Thu Aug 18
09:40-13:30
Prelim slalom men series 2/1
Thu Aug 18
15:00
IWSF World Congress Tianjin Dongli-Holiday Village
Thu Aug 18
IWSF Hall of Fame inductions Main Building
Fri Aug 19
07:00-9:20
Prelim trick women series 2/1
Fri Aug 19
09:30-13:15
Prelim trick men series 2/1
Fri Aug 19
13:25-16:00
Prelim jump women series 2/1
Sat Aug 20
07:30-11:15
Prelim jump men series 2/1
Sat Aug 20
11:25-13:15
Final slalom women
Sat Aug 20
13:25-15:10
Final slalom men
Sat Aug 20
15:20-16:25
Final tricks women
Sat Aug 20
16:35-17:50
Final tricks men
Sun Aug 21
07:30-08:35
Overall Final slalom
Sun Aug 21
08:45-09:35
Overall Final tricks
Sun Aug 21
09:45-10:45
Overall Final jump
Sun Aug 21
10:55-12:25
Final jump women
Sun Aug 21
12:35-14:05
Final jump men
Sun Aug 21
Final night banquet Tianjin Grand Hotel
EVENT INFORMATION
LOCATION
Tianjin is a city with a population 10 million people, located 100km southeast of Beijing.
ADMINISTRATION
Chinese Water Ski Association
9, Tiyuguan Road, Beijing, China, 100763
Tel: +86-10-67113740, 67113728
Fax: +86-10-67112793
Email: Chwaterski@yahoo.com.cn
THE SITE
The site is the same one for the 2002 IWSF World University Championships.
OFFICIAL TOWBOAT
The Official Towboat of the 2005 World Water Ski Championships is Ski Nautique.
DRUG TESTINGAccording to IWSF and WADA Rules.
AIRPORT
The nearest airport is Tianjin, but most international flights will fly to Beijing. Transport from both airports to the official hotel will be provided free of charge, by the Organizing Committee.
VISA
If the necessary personal information is provided, the Organizing Committee will issue official visa invitations to all participants, officials, delegates and guests. They may apply for visas with the invitation at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in their country.
TRAINING
The competition lake will be available for paid training from July 15 to August 10 . Information about training fee will be in Bulletin No.2.
The Organizing Committee will organize official practice on August 14 and 15. The IWSF tournament Council will arrange practice time for each team. Practice fee: 5USD/5mins/person.
For information and reservations please contact Mr. Liu Weidong at: Weidong_liu@yahoo.com
ENTRY FEE
The entry fee per skier is $ 100.00 and must be paid in cash at the accreditation.
HOTEL, MEALS AND COSTS
The following hotels could be chosen.
1, Tian Quan Hotspring Hotel (3 star, 100m to the site)
Double room: 65USD/per day/per person
Single room: 85USD/per day/ per person
2, Dongli Holiday Village(3 star, 200m to the site)
Double room: 70USD/per day/per person
Single room: 90USD/per day/ per person
Triple room: 55USD/per day/per person
3, Sports Hotel (3 star, 40 minutes drive to the site. For late bookings once the two hotels at the lake are full)
Double room: 75USD/per day/per person
Single room: 90USD/per day/ per person
Note:
1) All above are packaged payments (subject to a sum of banking commissions 4.5% if paid by credit cards¨C the hotels accept MasterCard and Visa), including:
-Board and lodging 3 buffet meals a day;
-Daily one round transportation. Site-downtown
2) Hotel reservations are expected to send to the Organizing Committee together with application forms, 20% deposit for reservation before June 30th, 2005. The account information will be provided in Bulletin 2.
3) Please note that the prices of the hotelsfor the duration of training from July 15 - August 10th are 10% higher than those listed above
4) The Organizing Committee will provide the following free of charge:
-One round trip transportation from Beijing (or Tianjin) Airport to hotel(s);
-Entry for closing Banquet for team members.
5) Local Organizer in Tianjin:
Fax: +86-22-23397669; 23396528
Email: tj_sports brightre@sina.com.cn; Hitanchen@hotmail.com
FINAL NIGHT BANQUET
All teams and officials are invited to the final night banquet. Tickets will be on sale during the event for guests and other interested persons. Prices for the tickets of the Final Night Banquet will be communicated with Bulletin Number 2.
INTENTION TO ENTER
The enclosed¡°Intention to Enter¡±form must be sent to the Chairman of the World Tournament Council, Mr. Bob Corson and to the Chinese Water Ski Association before June 15, 2005.
Attention: Rule 2.05 of the IWSF Tournament Rule book reads as follows:
Each Federation shall certify to the Chairman of the Tournament Council and to the organizing committee, not later than 60 days before the scheduled start of the first event of the World Championships, its intent to compete. Any Federation not meeting this requirement will not be allowed to compete until they pay a fine of 200 Swiss Francs to the IWSF.
OFFICIAL ENTRY FORMS
The official entry forms for teams and individuals will be sent with Bulletin 2.
ACCREDITATION FORMS
All accreditation forms will be sent out to Federations and persons concerned in due time.
AREA MAP/ATTRACTIONS
For such information go to (Tianjin Homepage)
WEATHER
Temperatures will be between 25C and 30C.
SIGHTSEEING IN BEIJING
The Organizing Committee will arrange with a travel agency a sightseeing program in Beijing (Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, etc..) on Monday and Tuesday after the championships. Further information will be available in Bulletin No.2.
COMPETITION PROGRAMME (provisional)
Saturday, Aug 13 Arrival day, accreditation
Sunday, Aug. 14 Arrival day, accreditation, official practice
Monday, Aug. 15 Accreditation, official practice Team captains meeting Jury meeting
Tuesday, Aug. 16 Preliminary round
Wednesday, Aug. 17 Preliminary round
Thursday, Aug. 18 Preliminary round (until 14:00 , no competition during the Congress )
Friday, Aug. 19 Preliminary round
Saturday, Aug. 20 Preliminary round / finals
Sunday, Aug. 21 Finals
Monday, Aug. 22 Departure
SOCIAL PROGRAMME (provisional)
Sunday, Aug. 14 Meeting of the IWSF Bureau
Monday, Aug. 15 Meeting of the Executive Board
Tuesday, Aug. 16 Meeting of the Executive Board
Wednesday, Aug.17 Meeting of the World Tournament Council
Thursday, Aug. 18 IWSF World Congress (Starts at 15:00)
IWSF Hall of Fame inductions
Sunday, Aug. 21 Final night banquet
JURY World Championships - Tianjin, China, August 15 - 21
Position
Name
Country
Chief Judge
Thomas Ludwig
GER
Assistant Chief Judge
Dave Clark
USA
Homologator
Eddie Roberts
USA
Chief Calculator
Brigitte Raymond
FRA
Assistant Calculator
Lori Veenstra
CAN
Assistant Calculator
Larry Downes
USA
Judge 1 EAME
Emmanuel Lion
FRA
Judge 2 EAME
Fred Dupanloup
SUI
Judge 3 EAME
D¡¯Elia Vincenzo
ITA
Judge 1 Pan Am
Vern Oberg
CAN
Judge 2 Pan Am
Mark Kabieschke
COL
Judge 3 Pan Am
Luis Cabellos
CHI
Judge 1 AA
Robin Wright
NZE
Judge 2 AA
Kevin Wiseman
AUS
Judge 3 AA
Dai Sougqing
CHN
Judge 10
Mary Gail Holcombe
USA
Reserve Judge
Maureen Wright
GBR
Reserve Judge
Werner Schicher
AUT
Chief Driver
Ralph Armstrong
USA
Driver 1
Sergey Koslowski
BLR
Driver 2
Ian Campbell
GBR
Driver 3
Chris Wright
NZE
Driver 4
Les Todd
USA
Reserve Driver
Ken Nelson
CAN
Reserve Driver
Waldie Priekulis
AUS
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