The EYRES Action Sport Games Mandurah turned out to be the perfect stage for launching the 33rd World Cup Stop for Waterski and Wakeboard. It was also the first Stop ever to be staged in Australia. At the closing ceremony, Mayor Paddi Creevey confirmed that this is part of a four-year agreement with the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF). The event is supported by the State Government through Eventscorp's Regional Events Program, which is funded by Royalties for Regions.
As a World Cup location, Mandurah is impressive. Surrounded by magnificent waterfront homes, first class restaurants, blue skies, 30C temperatures, Pelicans, Dolphins and a very experienced local Waterski and Wakeboard team, this event will certainly grow and grow over the coming years. MasterCraft, the official boat suppliers, moored their own VIP Cruiser right at the starting dock area.
On the water, spills and thrills captured the imagination of the enormous crowds on site. As the weekend coincided with the Channel 7 Annual Crab Fest, the party atmosphere added greatly to the World Cup impact. The TV crews, Helicopter camera and Webcast presentation completed the World Cup media arrangements.
In Wakeboard,10 Women battled for 6 Finals places. Young Bec Gange and seasoned campaigner Amber Wing, got a well deserved ovation. Miku Asai from Kagoshima in Japan also made it through. She took 3rd place at the World Cup Stop in Kuching, Malaysia. Much to the delight of the crowded waterfront, Bec Gange exceeded all expectations. She took the bronze medal in the Finals. Amber Wing took the silver medal to add to her World Cup gold medal in Linyi, China, giving Australia two major successes today. However, the winner showed why she has dominated the World Cup in Sarawak, Malaysia, Chuncheon, South Korea, Doha, Qatar and others. Raimi Merrit USA at just 18 years of age, was again in a league of her own in taking this first Mandurah World Cup title.
The Women Shortboard featured the very best in the world today. These included World Record holder Clementine Lucine FRA, World Champion Natalia Berdnikova BLR.
The women were first out. Causing a sensation, Natalia Berdnikova BLR went down early and did not make it to the Finals. However, Maria Camila Linares COL impressed all with the highest Semi-Final score of 6840 points. The 4 Finalists featured France, Australia, Colombia and USA. While Danyelle Bennett USA set the pace with her score of 5810, when World Record Holder Clementine Lucine FRA arrived, she too was clearly in a league of her own on this occasion. Her gold medal score of 7540 was 1700 points ahead of Bennett who took silver. Linares took a well deserved bronze.
For extreme sports fans, the Jump event at Mandurah certainly supplied enough thrills and spills to capture the respect of all. As the nearby pristine Indian Ocean can often deliver warm breezes and testing water surfaces here, the Men and Women Jumpers had to adjust to the conditions as best they could. As ever, those who do adjust best on these occasions get to the Podium. Distances are really not relevant. In the Women's event and true to form, the World Jump Record Holder Natalia Berdnikova BLR made the adjustments and took the gold medal. Closest to her was Maj Lund Jepsen DEN who took silver and showed once again that Denmark is a world power in this discipline. At just 18 years of age and with little World Cup experience, Lauren Morgan USA beat a very talented field to take the bronze medal.
The highly committed Mandurah team is already working on refinements for 2013 and that is only 364 days away !
JUMP RESULTS
http://www.iwsftournament.com/homologation/scorebooks/20120318030328Scorebook12AUS824.htm
SHORTBOARD RESULTS
http://www.iwsftournament.com/homologation/scorebooks/20120318030334Scorebook12AUS824.htm
CONTACT : Des Burke-Kennedy, Media Chairman, International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation
