GOLD MEDALISTS ALL RETURN TO DEFEND THEIR TITLES AT NEXT WEEK’S WATERSKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CHILE
One of the world’s most beautiful Waterski arenas, Lago los Morros, is located on the outskirts of Santiago in Chile and is already buzzing with anticipation.
Running for five days from November 26, the IWWF World Waterski Championships will be staged for the first time in Chile at this well proven site. The manmade lake is as close to perfect as is possible and with sunny 23C / 74Fh weather predicted and a water temperature also of 23C, the stage is now set for a truly spectacular event. At this time, athletes from 34 countries have entered the start list. These include Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, Slovakia, Republic of South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay and USA. Once again, the two largest squads are from the USA and France with 17 and 15 athletes each. They are also the countries which have won the most gold medals over the years. USA has taken home 149 and France 28. MasterCraft will provide the official boats and technical support.
Untypically, every gold medalist from the previous 2011 World Waterski Championships in Dubna Russia will now compete at Lago los Morros to defend their titles. Thankfully, injuries have not kept them away. Certainly, each will be under enormous pressure from the impressive talent rising through the ranks at this time. To add to expectations ahead, three World Records have fallen in the past five months. One strong gold medal contender, Nate Smith USA, has climbed in Men’s Slalom from Rank No. 20 to No.3 in just three years. He has already equaled the World Record and also has an additional pending World Record of 2.5 buoys on the 9.75m line. In Women’s Slalom, multi-talented Regina Jaquess USA is also chasing gold. She too set a new World Slalom Record four months ago of 3.5 buoys on the 10.25m line. The 18 year-old sensation Erika Lang USA set a new Tricks World Record of 10,180 points which was approved just last week. Watch out defending champions ! With perfect water conditions at the Lago los Morros site, next week is guaranteed to be a real thriller ! Attending these 2013 World Waterski Championships will be Mr Neven Ilic, President of the Chilean Olympic Committee, Mr Gabriel Ruiz-Tagle, Chilean Sports National Institute, Mrs Nora Cuevas, San Bernardo Town Hall Mayor, Mr Waldo Miranda, President of Chilean Waterski Federation and owner of the Lago los Morros venue, and the Presidents of IWWF Federations from around the world.
World Championships Timetable :
TUESDAY NOV 26
08.00 – 15.30 Slalom Ladies Series 5, 4, 3, Men Series 6, 5, 4
16.00 – 18.00 Tricks Ladies Series 4, 3
18.00 – 19.30 Tricks Men Series 4
WEDNESDAY NOV 27
08.00 – 11.20 Jump Ladies Series 3, Jump Men Series 4
11.45 – 17.30 Slalom Ladies Series 2, 1, Slalom Men Series 3, 2, 1
18.00 – 20.00 Opening Ceremony – Chilean Olympic Committee
THURSDAY NOV 2
8 09.00 – 13.00 IWWF World Congress – Hotel Atton
13.00 – 18.00 Tricks Ladies Series 2, 1, Tricks Men Series 3 , 2, 1
19.00 – 21.00 International Hall of Fame Ceremony – Hotel Atton
FRIDAY NOV 29
09.00 – 18.00 Jump Ladies Series 2, 1, Jump Men Series 3, 2, 1
SATURDAY NOV 30
10.00 – 12.30 FINAL Ladies Slalom, FINAL Men Slalom
13.00 – 14.30 FINAL Ladies Tricks
14.30 – 16.00 Prize Ceremony SUNDAY DEC 1
10.00 – 11.30 FINAL Men Tricks
12.00 – 15.30 FINAL Ladies Jump, FINAL Men Jump
15.45 – 16.45 Prize Ceremony
20.00 – 00.00 Closing Dinner WEBCAST OPTIONS
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