Major Property Developer, Vanke, will sponsor the 2005 Vanke Waterski World Championships scheduled to take place from August 15th – 21st in China.

 

China’s legendary rate of economic development has added a new level of  excitement and anticipation to the bi-annual Waterski World Championships. The Dongli Lake site in Tianjin is located just 100km south east of Beijing. As northern China’s most important trade centre, Tianjin is a major hub for rail, international air and sea traffic. With a population of 10 million people, temperatures at this time of the year are approximately 25C / 80Fh. The Great Wall of China at Huangyaguan is just 120km to the north.

 

Dongli Lake is one of the most spectacular stages ever to host the Waterski World Championships of the International Water Ski Federation. This was also the venue for the successful 2002 Waterski World University Championships. A lake side purpose designed gleaming glass structure will be the centre of activities for the athletes, officials and organizers. From the very beginning, the Dongli Lake itself was also designed with these World Championships in mind.

 

By the evening of Sunday, August 21st, the World Champion titles for both Men and Women will be declared in Slalom, Tricks and Jump. However, as this is also a team event, the coveted Overall Team results will also be known.

 

In 1999, Canada won the World Team title in Milan, Italy, with a very strong Slalom performance. In 2001, in Recetto, Italy, the USA took the World Team title by excelling in Tricks and Jump. In 2003 in Clermont, Florida, Australia dominated in Jump but superb performances in Slalom and Tricks gave the World Team title again to the United States.

 

The reigning World Team Champions, the USA, will battle against 35 nations to try to make it three in a row in Tianjin, China. Just two weeks ago, they announced their 2005 Team. Only one new athlete will be added to the highly successful 2003 team – and that will be Mandy Nightingale. As the reigning World Trick champion, this was no surprise. Brandi Hunt, Regina Jaquess, Freddy Krueger, Jimmy Siemers and Karen Truelove will again take on the challenge.

 

Hot on the heels of the USA will be Canada, France, Australia and Great Britain. Belarus could also be a surprise contender and Italy has enormous strength in Slalom. With Australia’s Emma Sheers recovering from knee surgery, this is a blow to the their team. Canada’s Jaret Llewellyn, plus a host of talented Canadian youngsters will be worth watching closely. France have both the World Trick Record holder, Nicolas LeForestier, and the World Overall Record holder, Clementine Lucine, on board. While Great Britain will miss the retired Slalom legend Andy Mapple, Jason Seels, Jaki Hunter and others are always a force to be reckoned with. This Team Title contest will be a real cliff-hanger till the end.

 

Correct Craft Inc. will be the official boat suppliers of the Ski Nautique craft  for the 2005 Vanke Waterski World Championships.  Celebrating 80 years of success on the water this year, the Company has brought great innovations to the sport at major championships around the World since 1925.

 

The Chinese Water Ski Federation recently launched both a special Event Logo and also the official Event Mascot. These will be used to promote the event both throughout China and overseas. The scores will be published on www.iwsf.com

 

The Opening Ceremony also promises to be a very dramatic one. The great culture of China will be presented in a water extravaganza on Dongli Lake to set a high standard for the entire Championships.