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Celebrating ten years of success, the Wakeboard World Cup Series of the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) will return to Linyi China on September 20/21. For the historic city’s ten million population, this will be the highlight of the weekend.
The purpose-built grandstands on the shores of the Yi River will be packed with enthusiastic fans.They will welcome the IWWF’s top ranked Riders from sixteen countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Republic of South Africa, Sweden, Thailand and USA.  Temperatures are expected to be a comfortable 25C. MasterCraft will provide the boats and full technical support as they have done since the creation of the World Cup Series in 2004.
Earlier this year, three Australian Riders caused a sensation by taking all three medals at the Mandurah Australia World Cup Stop. They will be back again in Linyi to try to make it another Australian World Cup clean sweep. This super-star trio will include World Champion and recently crowned Wakeboarder of the Year, Harley Clifford, Mandurah World Cup silver medalist, Cory Teunissen, and Mandurah World Cup bronze medalist, Tony Iacconi. However, this dream finish for Australia could well be upset by the enormous talent of Japan’s Shota Tezuka, Ireland’s David O’Caoimh and Russia’s Nikita Martianov.
Now that Pro Rider Raimi Merritt USA has recovered fully from her ankle injury, she is hotly tipped to take the Linyi Women’s World Cup gold medal. However, Bec Gange AUS will push hard to get back on top following her silver medal victory in Mandurah last March. Australia’s other international star Rider Amber Wing will also be in there with a fighting chance of taking the honors. All in all, this has the makings of a major Australian challenge for World Cup medals if the other fifteen countries Riders give them half a chance.
The weekend’s entertainment will also include three spectacular displays by one of China’s best known Show Ski Teams. Show Skiing is now the most popular discipline of the sport in China and a Show Ski team representing China was a top contender at the World Show Ski Tournament in Wisconsin USA last weekend. 
China is also forging ahead with the development of Cable Wakeboard Parks and already has constructed a major facility at their Shunyi Beijing Olympic Rowing Lake. The next World Cup Stop will again feature Cable events in Shanghai on October 4/5th.
LINYI WORLD CUP TIMETABLE
FRIDAY – September 19th
12.00 – 14.00 – Practice Pro Women
14.15 – 17.30 – Practice Pro Men
SATURDAY – September 20th
09.30 – 11.00 – Opening Ceremony & Waterski Show
11.00 – 12.15 – Semi-Finals Pro Women
14.00 – 16.00 – Quarter-Finals Pro Men
16.30 – 17.45 – LCQ Pro Men
SUNDAY – September 21st
09.00 – 09.45   LCQ  Pro Women
09.45 – 10.15 – Waterski Show
10.15 – 11.30 – Semi-Finals Pro Men
14.00 – 14.45 – Final Pro Women
14.45 – 15.30 – Final Pro Men
15.30 – 16.45 – Waterski Show
16.45 – 17.15 – World Cup Award Ceremony
On this occasion, there will not be a live Webcast.
 
NEWS & UPDATES

     

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