Today, Thursday, saw the last of the athletes arriving on site here at the Foban Emin Water Ski Club. Shortboarders Jaret Llewellyn (CAN) and Nicolas LeForestier (FRA) completed their practice runs just a few minutes ago and that brings this warm-up stage to a conclusion.
Official Driver Ian Campbell (GBR) has parked the MasterCraft boat and every athlete has had their familiarisation time on the water.
A little drama always enters these very important arenas ! Clementine Lucine (FRA) was not feeling so well earlier today with a little exhaustion but is recovering well, Jaret Llewellyn has a very stiff back following his 20 hours of travel and a massage on site has been arranged for him by the Club this afternoon. Nicolas LeForestier broke his new 2006 Trick Ski just two days ago and has had to switch back to his old 2005 model. This softer ski should not be a problem as he happens to have broken the World Shortboard record on this one ! Finally, Wakeboarder Phillip Soven has recovered well from his cold and his heavily strapped broken wrist appears to be healing rapidly.
This evening at 18.00hrs, the two hour Opening Ceremony will commence at the site. This will be broadcast live on Beijing TV. An enormous floating stage has been towed into place - covered in red carpet. A full size Grand Piano is on the dock, enormous floodlights placed on the Clubhouse roof and a 20m VIP table now stands on the Club balcony. This promises to be a very special Beijing World Cup Opening Ceremony.
Tomorrow morning at 09.30hrs, the Preliminary Round begins with Women’s Shortboard. First on the water will be Xu Xinyuan and Song Yufei of China.
The weather remains perfect - 31C and a slight warm breeze from the south.