Beijing Water Shortage Forces Site and Date Change
For the 2008 FISU World University Championships.
Ming Tombs Reservoir
– 1 to 5 October 2008
The recent technical inspection conducted
by representatives of the IWSF, FISU and Chinese University Sports Federation,
has resulted in a change of venue for the upcoming FISU World University
Water Ski Championships. Low water levels at the beautiful Foban Emin
Water Ski Club - host of the 2006 Beijing World Cup stop- prompted the
inspection team to search for an alternate venue.
After discussions with government officials, a detailed analysis of water level projections for the Foban Emin site and government approval to use one of Beijing’s most cherished treasures, the inspection team, which included IWSF president Kuno Ritschard, IWSF World University Commission chairman Phil Chase and FISU Water Ski technical chairman Sergey Efimouchkin, recommended to FISU that the championships be moved to the famous Ming Tombs Reservoir.
Site of both the Olympic and Paralympic
Triathlons, the Ming Tombs Reservoir, shown in the picture above, has
a gigantic stadium which can accommodate large crowds for both the Opening
Ceremonies and the championships. Unfortunately, contracts between
the government and the IOC made it impossible for us to gain access
to the site in time to transition it for water ski competition under
the time constraints of the original dates. After careful consideration
of several scenarios, a recommendation was made to FISU that the date
be changed to October 1-5, 2008. FISU has just now approved the new
dates and venue and they are now official.
As stated many times over the past
several months, the future of university skiing depends heavily on our
ability to shine at this event. It is imperative that we showcase as
many teams as possible and staff these teams with the best university
skiers available. This is our CHANCE. On October 1st, water
skiing will take center stage at this huge stadium, in front of thousands
of people. The event is being run by the very same organization that
will host the FISU Summer Universiade, in the summer of 2011. We will
never get another chance like this…LET’S MAKE IT COUNT.
Preliminary letters of intent from
IWSF Federations added up to 17 countries. While this is a good start,
we need more…lots more.
The 1st Official Bulletin
will be released shortly. It will contain all necessary information
on eligibility and team requirements as well as hotel and preliminary
travel information. An event website is also being planned and should
be up and running in the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, if I can help you with any
other information, please do not hesitate to contact me at philchase@sbcglobal.net.
Phil Chase, Chairman
IWSF World University Commission