Dear Sportsfriends,

The Viersel Waterski Club organises on Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th of May for the 13th time, the worlds greatest and most known waterski race ever, the VIERSEL DIAMOND WATERSKI RACE.

After the succesfull organisation of last year, the organizing committee under the presidency of Mister Christophe Moyersoen, will continue to walk the new path they started with the previous edition.

This year, the Diamond Race-weekend will, as always, bring happy and at the same time tired faces. It is a very demanding weekend for the competitors and the organisation. But everybody taking part in this event, knows that in the end there is a beautifull reward. This reward is different for everybody. Some come for the Diamond-trophees, others for the sportsmanship. Some for the excitement, others to have a great party with their foreign friends.

The Viersel Waterski Club has a very good repute for organising races. The Diamond Race is every year the crowning of a long time working and planning.

It always brings a lot of friends together. Friends from all over the world. Friends from Australia, the United States, sometimes South-African-friends. We are of course very happy to meet our European friends comming from the U.K., Germany, France, Spain and Italy as well as from the Netherlands or Austria.

One thing is certain : only the physically and metally fit and trained, and sporting athlete can win the Diamond Race and by so doing proof his superiority.

Of course, all of this would not be possible without the help of some important people in the Belgian industry. Without the support of the following sponsors, the Viersel Diamond Race would not be as you know it today.

HSA Spaarbank Nationale Loterij - LOTTO

Groep MAES - Hoogtewerkers Lenders - Kleding - Borsbeek

MERCURY motoren Supermarkt De Wolf

PURPLE RAIN - Racing Team VERBEECk-MARIEN - Fotogravure

GOORMANS - Bouwmaterialen VAN GASTEL bvba - OFFICE-EQUIPMENT

Of course this event can not take place without the help of several official bodies such as the Dienst voor de Scheepvaart as owner of the Albertcanal and the Mayor of Zandhoven, Mr. Willy De Bie.

The participants will come from all over the world to compete in the 13th edition of the Viersel Diamond Race 1997.

We hope that all the races will be hard and exciting. As usual this will result in a fair and sportive outcome. Not every team can leave with the special "Diamond-trophy" but we are convinced that every participant will look upon his or her achievement with content after the races will be over.

We expect you all at the Viersel Diamond Race on Mai 18th of this year.

Sportive regards,

Viersel Waterski Club

The organisation will provide to the four nominated official Teams of each country participating, including Team Captain ( maximum 13 persons / country ) :

* free hotel accomodation for one night. ( meals and beverages used in the hotel are at your own expenses ).

* free tickets for :

- entrance.

- reception at the Mayor's Office.

- Official Dinner on Saturday.

- breakfast on Sunday ( in the Hotel Vivaldi )

- entrance to the Paddock-area on Sunday.

- Prize-giving-ceremony.

Besides the official Teams, all other teams that want to participate in the races are most welcome.

The organisation will provide them with :

* free tickets for :

- entrance.

- entrance to the Paddock-area on Sunday.

- Price-giving-ceremony.

Prizes :

First, second and third place ( skiër, pilot and observer ) in the Viersel Diamond Race - Europe Cup Juniors, Ladies and Men, will be rewarded with a special gold Diamond Race - Trophy.

For the first overall arrival in the Formule I & II - race, a special unique DIAMOND AWARD will be rewarded.

All other Teams, all Officials and Judges will be given a token of remembrance.

10.00 - 15.30Hr Aankomst en inschrijvingen van de deelnemers

Arrival and registration of the teams

Arrivée et enrégistrement des équipes

11.00 - 15.00Hr Training - Training - Entraînement

17.00Hr Receptie aangeboden door de Burgemeester en Schepencollege van de Gemeente Zandhoven

Reception offered by the Mayor and Council of

Zandhoven

Réception offert par Monsieur le Bourgmestre et le Collège de Zandhoven

19.00Hr Openingsavond - Opening ceremony - Cérémonie d'ouverture

Voorstelling van de teams

Presentation of the teams

Présentation des équipes

20.00Hr Official Dinner

( In tent " De Scheepvaart " )

20.00Hr Pre-Race Party Night

( In tent " Diamond Café )

11.00u Open Race

Open voor alle niet-Diamond-deelnemers

Ouvert pour toutes les compétiteurs non-Diamond

Open for all non-Diamond-competitors ).*

25 min + 1 ronde / tour / lap

13.00u Grote Prijs / Grand Prix " Dames / Women "

45 min + 1 ronde / tour / lap

Grote Prijs / Grand Prix " Juniores / Juniors "

45 min + 1 ronde / tour / lap

14.30u Grote Prijs / Grand Prix "FORMULE III HEREN"

45 min + 1 ronde / tour / lap

16.00u Grote Prijs / Grand prix "FORMULE II HEREN"

60 min + 1 ronde / tour / lap

Grote Prijs / Grand Prix "FORMULE I HEREN"

60 min + 1 ronde / tour / lap

20.00u Prijsuitreiking - Trophy ceremony - Remise des prix

Diamond Party Night.

* = Diamond = Grote Prijs / Grand Prix

Koersdirecteur Christophe MOYERSOEN

Race Officer

Directeur de Courses

Secretariaat / onthaal Peter VAN GASTEL

Secretariat / Reception Jef DE RIDDER

Sécretariat / Acceuil

Veiligheid Leon FERINGA

Chief of Security

Direction Sécurité

Technische direktie Walter KEES

Technical directors Frank GOOLAERTS

Direction technique

Bootcontrole Gianni RIVA ( ITA ) + BWSF

Scruteneering

Contrôle des bateaux

Public Relations Fanny MAGINEL

Micha ROBYN

Erik ENGELEN

Paul LAPORTE

Pers - Press - Press Nico BERTELS

Micha ROBYN

André HENDRICKX

Guido BOLLEN

Info Viersel Waterski Club v.z.w.

Watersportlaan 4

2240 Zandhoven - Viersel

Belgium

Nationaal : Tel 03/475.09.53 / 475.06.66 / 253.19.20.

Fax 03/475.09.53 / 253.19.21

Internationaal : Tel : 32 3 475.09.53.

32 3 253 19 20.

Fax : 32 3 475.09.53.

E-mail : vangastelbvba@glo.be

Voorzitter Jean Marie MULLER ( FR )

President

Président

Assistent Paul JENSCH (NL)

Jury Chantal MULLER ( FR )

Judges J. HOWARD - SMITH ( GBR )

Juges Piero-Luigi MAINARDI ( ITA )

Frans VERMEULEN ( BEL )

Chief-Calculator Vera VAN DEN BOSSCHE ( BEL )

Chief-Scruteneer Gianni RIVA ( ITA )

Starter François VAN DEN BOSSCHE (BEL)

Reserve Judges Ray BERRIMAN ( GBR )

Luis MUSSACH ( ESP )

Voorzitter André HENDRICKX

President

Président

Jury Mathieu THIJS

Judges Eddy VERHAGEN

Juges Jozef DE WACHTER

Andrea VERMEULEN

Assistant Calculator Dominique GATHY

Martine CIROUX

Timekeeper Robert GATHY

Bootcontroleurs Robert GATHY

Office scruteneers Eddy VERHAGEN

Controleurs des bateaux

Vestiging - Location - Lieu along the Albert-canal in Viersel (Zandhoven)

Clubhuis : " De Scheepvaart"

Address Watersportlaan 4

Adresse 2240 Zandhoven - Viersel

Ere Voorzitter - H. President - H. Président Willy DE BIE

Voorzitter - President - Président Christophe MOYERSOEN

Ondervoorzitter - Vice President - Vice Président Micha ROBYN

Penningmeester - Treasurer - Trésorier Jef DE RIDDER

Secretaris - Secretary - Secrètaire Peter VAN GASTEL

Waterschout - Commodore - Commissaire Maritime Walter KEES

Feestbestuurders - Responsibles of festivities Fanny MAGINEL

Technisch adviseur - Technical Advisor - Adviseur Technique Frank GOOLAERTS

INFRASTRUCTUUR - INFRASTRUCTURE - INFRASTRUCTURE

Het clubhuis is het hele jaar door geopend, met uitstekend restaurant, gezellig zonneterras en overdekte veranda. Ruime parking

The clubhouse is open all year round, with restaurant, comfortable sun terrace and a covered veranda. Ample parking space is available.

Le club est ouvert toute l'année. Il posséde d'un restaurant, une agréable terasse et une veranda couverte. Il est également doté d'un parking privé.

Hotel-accomodation

This year's official hotel will be the "hotel Vivaldi" ( so not the Aldhem hotel !!! ).

Reservations have to be made at the secretaries-office of the Diamond Race.

( tel : 32 3 253 19 20 - fax 32 3 253 19 21 - Email: vangastelbvba@glo.be ).

Price of the rooms at the Vivaldi Hotel :

single : 2.450,-BEF per night per person with Breakfast.

Double : 3.100,-BEF per night per 2 persons with Breakfast.

Reservations as so as possible please.

The officially selected teams of the different counries need to make reservations before May 02th 1997 to get free sleeping-facilities the night of Saturday to Sunday !!! Not booked in time = no free sleeping-facilities !!!

Paddock-area

The boats-area will have free entrance on Saturday.

On Saturday at 19.00 hours the boats-area will be shut down untill Sunday 09.00 hours.

During this period of time, the security will be in this area.

Boats which have not arrived yet, or are not in the boats-area at the time of closing will be left on the outside of this area and will not be atmitted to this area untill it re-opens.

It is "at all times" prohibided to park cars or other vehicules, others than boats on trailers, in the boats-area. If so, they will be town away at the expenses of the owner.

On Saturday the cranes will work from 14.00 till 16.00 hours. On Sunday from 10.00 till 18.00 hours. Outside these periods you will have to use the Viersel slibway or Viersel fix-crane.

Competitors

The three first arriving teams of a category of a race are obliged to take part in the 1-2-3-ceremony directly after the race.

After each race, an honorary-lap will be made by all teams ( skier in the boat ). This lap will take place between the start/arrival-line and the lock of Viersel.

All officially selected teams are obliged to take part in the "Reception offered by the Mayor and Council of Zandhoven" and the "Official Presentation of the teams" which will take place on Saturday at 17.00 and 19.00 hours.

Competitors who do not life according these rules, will lose theire rights to a Diamond-trophee and will be rewarded with a replacement. This is also for all competitors that do not in fully pay theire hotel-bills.

Fuel

According to safety-regulations and a Zandhoven ( = Viersel ) - law, it is prohibided to transport and/or use fuel of the type AV-gas within the district of Zandhoven.

You are kindly invited to the OFFICIAL DINNER of the 1997 Viersel Diamond Race.

This will take place on May 17th at 20.00 Hr. In the party-tent at Viersel Waterski Club. This will be a unique opportunity to meet all the participating teams, the sponsors and the organising committee.

Price pro person : 1.000,-BEF beverages not included. Concerning the succes of the preceding year, we ask you to sign-in as soon as possible.

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The undersigned hereby makes reservations for the OFFICIAL DINNER on May 17th 1997 in the tent at Viersel

(CAPITAL LETTERS PLEASE )

Name : ............................................................................................

Address : ............................................................................................

....................... ...........................................................

Number of Persons : .................... X 1.000,-BEF/person

Payment exclusifly on the Viersel-account HSA 853-8594970-26 with your name, number of persons and "OFFICIAL DINNER"

Signature :

PLEASE SEND OR FAX THIS FORM A.S.A.P. TO

VIERSEL WATERSKI CLUB

WATERSPORTLAAN 4

2240 ZANDHOVEN - VIERSEL

Fax : 32 3 475.09.53 - 32 3 253.19.21.