RUSSIA - BRITAIN - CHINA - QATAR ... a World Cup Spectacular !
The deadline for the initial Intent To Enter Forms for the Waterski
World Cup 2004 has arrived - and the outcome is fantastic. Athletes
from SIXTEEN countries have already put their names forward! Athletes
can of course enter later as long as they satisfy each event deadline.
However, the initial response shows the enormous degree of support from our athletes.
The very best in Slalom, Tricks and Jump
are packing their bags ! With exotic venues so far in Russia, Britain,
China and Doha, the stage is set - and what a stage it promises to be.
The IWSF has specifically targeted venues with large populations to share
the excitement. In Dubna, Russia, 30,000 spectators are expected -
and this could grow to over 50,000 in Changshu, China. The entire event
has a Cash Prize fund of over US$500,000 and the titles of World Cup
Champion will guarantee a tremendous battle of talent around the World
this year.
So who will be on stage ? For Men, the top 16 on the
Seed List will be invited to compete + 2 wild cards. For Women, it will
be 12 + 2 wild cards. Only 6 Men and 4 Women will make it through to the
Final. Twelve Men and eight Women will share the cash Prize.
Today, the Intention To Enter submissions are being reviewed
- and the first list will be posted here within hours ! The entries received
make a star studded line-up. Requests have arrived from the USA, Australia,
France, Britain, Italy, Denmark, Russia, New Zealand, Austria, Belarus,
Argentina, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Belgium. Awaiting
confirmation are current World Champions Emma Sheers (Australia),
Mandy Nightingale (USA), Jimmy Siemers (USA) and Freddy Krueger ( USA).
As we anxiously await the publication of those on the first entry listings -
remember also that any Skier placed in the Top Three in a World Cup event,
will automatically qualify for the rest of the World Cup Stops.Watch our
World Cup Web site for regular updatesas this promises to be a roller
coaster ride all the way through to the last event in Doha in Qatar next
November.
Des Burke-Kennedy
Marketing & Media Chairman
INTERNATIONAL WATERSKI FEDERATION