IWSF World Cup News

The second last 2007 Singapore Stop of the Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup series of the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) was a major test for the best Wakeboard Riders in the World. Thirty two athletes arrived at the spectacular downtown Bedok Reservoir once again from the USA, New Zealand, China, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Thailand, Republic of South Africa, Italy, Netherlands, Hong Kong and Korea. In sweltering heat but excellent competition conditions, all the big names made it through to the Final. The MasterCraft competition boat was gleaming in the glorious sunshine as they made their way to the starting dock for the last challenge of the weekend.

One year ago, a freak sporting accident at Bedok Reservoir sent the most outstanding female rider in the world today to hospital. She broke her left femur and for most recovery from this can be a slow process. As Dallas Friday (USA) arrived for the Sunday Finals, she was instantly the crowd favorite and received a tumultuous welcome. The question on everybody’s mind was obvious – was she back to full fitness against such stiff international competition ? Pushing her hard were Sunni Ann Ball (CAN), Andrea Fountain (NZL), Chen LiLi (CHN), Raimi Merritt (USA) and Sasha Christian (SIN). What followed was inspiring. Her performance was breath taking. Not only had she returned to full fitness, she was once again unbeatable. Dallas Friday (USA) smiled with great satisfaction as she climbed to the top of the World Cup podium and accepted the USA$ 8,000 cash prize.

In the Mens event, all eyes were yet again on the 18 year old wonder Rider Philip Soven (USA). He already had three Singapore World Cup Stop titles. Again, he was also pitted against some of the World’s best Riders. These top challengers included Jeff Weatherall (NZL), Chad Sharpe (CAN), Rusty Malinoski (CAN), Andrew Adkinson (USA), Daniel Watkins (AUS), past World Cup winner Danny Harf (USA) and Morgan Krause (RSA). This was a best-of-the-best challenge by any standards. As is so often the case, the great talents rose to the top once again. It was eventually Jeff Weatherall (NZL) against Soven. Drama struck as Weatherall fell on his first pass. You could hear the large crowd gasp in astonishment ! This opened the door very wide for Philip Soven. With true style, he walked away with the US$15,000 top cash prize for the unprecedented fourth time.

The Singapore Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (SWWF) have turned this annual Stop of the Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup series into one of the highlights of the entire World Cup series. Working together for the first time with Waterfest Singapore, the carnival atmosphere made this 20th Stop of the World Cup series a great family occasion. Paul Fong, SWWF General Manager, stated that every effort would be made to keep Singapore at the forefront of the IWSF World Cup series. Certainly each and every one of the international Riders present will need no encouragement to return to this very popular venue.

The final Wakeboard Stop of the 2007 Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup series will take place in Doha in Qatar on November 3rd.

Pro Women Finals
1. Dallas Friday (USA)
2. Raimi Merritt (USA)
3. Sunni Ann Ball (CAN)

Pro Men Finals
1. Philip Soven (USA)
2. Jeff Weatherall (NZL)
3. Daniel Watkins (AUS)

Results posted at www.wakeboardworldcup.com
World Cup updates at www.iwsf.com

CONTACT : Des Burke-Kennedy, Media Chairman, International Waterski Federation

“I haven’t been this happy to win a competition in a while, so this goes down as one of the most special wins of my career. The competition from the other riders was great this year, and Singapore has been wonderful as always. It’s a great venue and I certainly look forward to being back next year.”

Singapore’s 14-year-old wakeboard sensation Sasha Christian finished joint fifth after failing to make it through to the women’s final. It was nevertheless an achievement for the Singapore Sports School student – the youngest competitor in the 10-strong field – as it was the first time that any Singaporean had qualified for the semi-final stage of the World Cup.

Meanwhile in the men’s competition, Phillip Soven (USA) added yet another World Cup Singapore title to his impressive list of achievements to complete an unprecedented four-peat reign in Singapore.

Up against flamboyant New Zealander Jeff Weatherall in the men’s final, the 18-year-old Soven’s task was made easier when the former fell on his very first pass to virtually throw away any chance of upsetting the seemingly invincible American, who walked away with the USD$15,000 top prize purse.

The path to the defence of his title was also made much smoother with pre-competition favourite and top seed Danny Haaf’s exit at the quarter-final stage.

But Soven remained humble despite his victory. “It definitely was a tough competition this year, more so than the previous years,” he said. “With Danny and Rusty (Malinoski) out of the competition it did take a bit of pressure off my mind, but I just went out there and did what I had to, and thankfully it was enough.”

Having completed the final Waterski World Cup Stop in Enniskillen in Northern Ireland ten days ago, it is now time for the last two Wakeboard Stops in Singapore and Qatar in this successful global series organized by the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF). Scheduled for September 22/23 on the spectacular freshwater downtown Bedok Reservoir site, the Singapore Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (SWWF) have announced a star-studded lineup from 14 countries of the best ProMen and ProWomen in the world today.

With a Cash Prize pot of US$60,000 available this weekend, the competition will be intense. Heading the ProMen challenge will be Phillip Soven (USA) and Danny Harf (USA). The top ProWomen will most likely be Dallas Friday (USA) and Chen Li Li (China). Soven has taken no less than three titles in the World Cup series. Harf took the 2006 Overall World Cup title. The 21 year old Friday, the 2006 US Pro Tour Overall Champion, will receive a huge welcome following her dramatic accident here in 2006. Local favorite Li Li also took this title in 2005 and is very much at home at this perfect venue.

This Singapore Stop of the World Cup series will be held in conjunction with WaterFest Singapore. It is the first time that the City will provide such a wide array of support activities for the public to enjoy throughout the weekend. These will include a Carnival Zone, Free Banana Boat Rides, Photography Competitions, Game Stalls, Goodie Bag Redemptions, Wakeboarding Lessons and RipCurl promotions. As with all of the 20 World Cup Stops to date, MasterCraft will again supply the competition boats and service crews for both the ProMen and ProWomen.

Paul Fong, SWWF General Manager, stated that the array of competing top Wakeboard athletes this year will be exceptional and this no doubt will inspire others to take up this rapidly expanding sport.

The Singapore Stop of the 2007 IWSF World Cup series will commence at 10.00hrs on September 22nd and the Finals will take place on September 23rd. Results and updates will be posted on www.wakeboardworldcup.com

CONTACT : Des Burke-Kennedy, Media Chairman, International Waterski Federation