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Des just sent this over.
Originally posted by Des Burke-Kennedy
Since 2004, this series has completed 17 successful Stops around the World, paid out US$1.8 million in cash prizes, completed 34 TV Shows and News Edits and issued over one million Press Releases to 192 countries. The 2006 Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup series of the International Water Ski Federation was the most successful to date. This third season took a team of over 70 elite athletes and officials to France, Northern Ireland, Russia, Qatar, China and Singapore. All Stops were pulled by MasterCraft boats.
Following the final World Cup Stop for Waterskiing in Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, the final Stop for Wakeboard took place again on the Bedok Reservoir in downtown Singapore. The title sponsor HSBC has turned the event in to one of the most significant annual sports extravaganzas in South East Asia. Riders from 13 countries enjoyed the 30C temperatures, the cheering 16,500 spectators and perfect water conditions.
To take the World Cup overall series title, the accumulated points are critical – and often the final Stop is the make-or-break event. Here is a recap of what happened in Singapore – where the season titles were captured.
Outstanding performances, unexpected drama and a nail biting conclusion to the World Cup series in Singapore, tested all Riders to the limit. In the Pro Women’s event, it was guaranteed to be a final season clash between the USA stars, Dallas Friday, Emily Copeland and Maeghan Major – although Denise De Haan (NED) and Sunni Ann Ball (CAN) also performed very well throughout. Major took a first place in France, Friday took a first place in Qatar and China – but, unfortunately, missed the Stop in France. Copeland took second places also in Qatar and China. Drama hit in Singapore when Dallas Friday, in a freak accident, appears to have lost a fin during a whirly bird maneuver, landed badly and broke her femur. Expert rescue work and subsequent first class treatment at Changi General Hospital have got her back on the road to recovery after some worrying days for her family and many friends. Even though she had almost completed her performance prior to the accident, valuable season points slipped away at that critical moment. Now it was a show down between Copeland and Major. On this occasion, it was Emily Copeland’s day, giving her the Singapore title and just five accumulated points more for the entire season than Major to take the coveted World Cup 2006 series title.
The Pro Men’s Singapore final produced some of the highest performances ever seen. All the big names were on the stage. Phillip Soven (USA) was there to defend his 2005 series title, Rusty Malinoski (CAN) had just taken the World Cup title in Beijing and was in Singapore to prove a point, and Danny Harf (USA), the current World Cup points leader, was determined to add the 2006 World Cup series title to his lengthy list of wins at other major events. Harf had already taken the Qatar title and a second place in Beijing. Soven had taken the title in Enghiens-les-Bains near Paris. World Champion Jeff Weatherall (NZL) took second place in Paris and third place in Beijing. However, Soven had a disaster early in the season in Qatar and if Harf could keep his cool on this occasion, he would take the series title way from Soven, the overall 2005 winner. This is exactly how it turned out and even though Soven won the Singapore Stop, Harf’s second place gave him enough accumulated points to take the 2006 World Cup series title – and the $10,000 Overall Cash Purse.
With the 2006 season now over, all eyes will shortly turn towards the much anticipated 2007 Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup calendar. Kuno Ritschard, President of the International Water Ski Federation, stated in Monaco today that another exciting list of major downtown World Cup venues for 2007 will be released shortly. MasterCraft will continue to provide the boats and technical support.
Congratulations to all the athletes who have delivered such outstanding performances in the 2006 Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup series.
PRO WOMEN SEASON POINTS
1. Emily Copeland (USA) 375
2. Maeghan Major (USA) 370
3. Denise De Haan (NED) 315
4. Sunni Ann Ball (CAN) 310
5. Cathy Williams (USA) 310
6. Andrea Fountain (NZL) 305
7. Dallas Friday (USA) 295
8. Louise Moore ( GBR) 250
PRO MEN SEASON POINTS
1. Danny Harf (USA) 380
2. Phillip Soven ((USA) 365
3. Rusty Malinoski (CAN) 345
4. Jeff Weatherall (NZL) 325
5. Chad Sharpe (CAN) 325
6. Morgan Krause (RSA) 300
7. Brett Eisenhaur (AUS) 280
8. Andrew Adkison (USA) 265
CONTACT : Des Burke-Kennedy, Media Chairman, International Waterski Federation
For Sponsorship opportunities, contact marketing@iwsf.com
Web Site : www.iwsfworldcup.com
Following the final World Cup Stop for Waterskiing in Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, the final Stop for Wakeboard took place again on the Bedok Reservoir in downtown Singapore. The title sponsor HSBC has turned the event in to one of the most significant annual sports extravaganzas in South East Asia. Riders from 13 countries enjoyed the 30C temperatures, the cheering 16,500 spectators and perfect water conditions.
To take the World Cup overall series title, the accumulated points are critical – and often the final Stop is the make-or-break event. Here is a recap of what happened in Singapore – where the season titles were captured.
Outstanding performances, unexpected drama and a nail biting conclusion to the World Cup series in Singapore, tested all Riders to the limit. In the Pro Women’s event, it was guaranteed to be a final season clash between the USA stars, Dallas Friday, Emily Copeland and Maeghan Major – although Denise De Haan (NED) and Sunni Ann Ball (CAN) also performed very well throughout. Major took a first place in France, Friday took a first place in Qatar and China – but, unfortunately, missed the Stop in France. Copeland took second places also in Qatar and China. Drama hit in Singapore when Dallas Friday, in a freak accident, appears to have lost a fin during a whirly bird maneuver, landed badly and broke her femur. Expert rescue work and subsequent first class treatment at Changi General Hospital have got her back on the road to recovery after some worrying days for her family and many friends. Even though she had almost completed her performance prior to the accident, valuable season points slipped away at that critical moment. Now it was a show down between Copeland and Major. On this occasion, it was Emily Copeland’s day, giving her the Singapore title and just five accumulated points more for the entire season than Major to take the coveted World Cup 2006 series title.
The Pro Men’s Singapore final produced some of the highest performances ever seen. All the big names were on the stage. Phillip Soven (USA) was there to defend his 2005 series title, Rusty Malinoski (CAN) had just taken the World Cup title in Beijing and was in Singapore to prove a point, and Danny Harf (USA), the current World Cup points leader, was determined to add the 2006 World Cup series title to his lengthy list of wins at other major events. Harf had already taken the Qatar title and a second place in Beijing. Soven had taken the title in Enghiens-les-Bains near Paris. World Champion Jeff Weatherall (NZL) took second place in Paris and third place in Beijing. However, Soven had a disaster early in the season in Qatar and if Harf could keep his cool on this occasion, he would take the series title way from Soven, the overall 2005 winner. This is exactly how it turned out and even though Soven won the Singapore Stop, Harf’s second place gave him enough accumulated points to take the 2006 World Cup series title – and the $10,000 Overall Cash Purse.
With the 2006 season now over, all eyes will shortly turn towards the much anticipated 2007 Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup calendar. Kuno Ritschard, President of the International Water Ski Federation, stated in Monaco today that another exciting list of major downtown World Cup venues for 2007 will be released shortly. MasterCraft will continue to provide the boats and technical support.
Congratulations to all the athletes who have delivered such outstanding performances in the 2006 Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup series.
PRO WOMEN SEASON POINTS
1. Emily Copeland (USA) 375
2. Maeghan Major (USA) 370
3. Denise De Haan (NED) 315
4. Sunni Ann Ball (CAN) 310
5. Cathy Williams (USA) 310
6. Andrea Fountain (NZL) 305
7. Dallas Friday (USA) 295
8. Louise Moore ( GBR) 250
PRO MEN SEASON POINTS
1. Danny Harf (USA) 380
2. Phillip Soven ((USA) 365
3. Rusty Malinoski (CAN) 345
4. Jeff Weatherall (NZL) 325
5. Chad Sharpe (CAN) 325
6. Morgan Krause (RSA) 300
7. Brett Eisenhaur (AUS) 280
8. Andrew Adkison (USA) 265
CONTACT : Des Burke-Kennedy, Media Chairman, International Waterski Federation
For Sponsorship opportunities, contact marketing@iwsf.com
Web Site : www.iwsfworldcup.com
