Phillippe Sueur, Mayor of Enghiens-les-Bains and Francois Lemann, President of the French Water Ski Federation, today extended a warm welcome to all the athletes from twelve countries as they began to arrive via Paris for this weekend’s World Cup Stop. The City is just 12km from the Eiffel Tower. All will be based at Hotel du Lac, overlooking the picturesque thermal lake and within view of the famous Casino Barriere. Distinguished past residents of this historic venue included Frederic Chopin, Alexander Dumas and Victor Hugo.

 

With the season’s World Cup cash prize fund of US$ 780,000, it promises to be a thrilling Wakeboard battle. Over 20,000 spectators are again expected to attend. A special reception will be held beside the lake at 19.30 hrs on Friday, followed by the official Opening Ceremony and competition on Saturday at 14.00 hrs.  On Saturday evening a concert and fireworks display will be featured on the World Cup jetty and the World Cup prize presentations will take place in front of the Hotel du Lac on Sunday evening.

 

The latest news from the World Cup officials is that the battle for top honours will be even more exciting than anticipated earlier. Danny Harf (USA), who won the first World Cup Stop in Qatar a few weeks ago, is still the one to beat this weekend in the Men’s division. Phillip Soven (USA), the overall World Cup winner last season, will certainly be back with a vengeance following some very bad luck in Qatar. However, the Ladies division is now full of new possibilities. Dallas Friday (USA), also the winner of the recent Doha Stop in Qatar, will not compete this weekend in France. This will switch the spotlight very much to Emily Copeland and Cathy Williams – both from the USA. Williams won this Stop last year and Copeland took the 2005 Singapore title at Bedok Reservoir. Both are in top form but they must also keep a close eye on the 2005 World Cup overall winner, Louise Moore (GBR). When we approach the podium on Sunday evening as the sun sets over the pristine blue lake waters at Enghiens-les-Bains, any one of these names, or others, could be there !

 

The anticipated 20,000 spectators will again have a perfect view of the greatest Wakeboard stars in the world as the powerful X-Star MasterCraft boat will take each athlete to within meters of the packed promenade at the lake shore. With perfect weather conditions predicted, the International Waterski Federation and the Local Organising Committee are anticipating an action packed weekend before all involved then head straight for Charles de Gaulle Airport and their flights to Beijing for next week’s World Cup extravaganza.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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International Waterski Federation

Fédération Française de SKI Nautique