AKITA, JAPAN

Thursday, 23rd. August 2001

It’s all good news today from Akita in Japan !

This is the stuff that miracles are made of. The Typhoon which threatened our World Games took a dog leg to the right and left us with a beautiful sunny days today here on the north west coast of Japan. That was just the start a day for the history books. It all began at 7.00am. Remember yesterday’s report where we took EVERYTHING out of the water to avoid it’s destruction ? Well, today, the same IWSF team put EVERYTHING back on the water in an record four hours ! Two Jump Ramps, three Jetties, three Boatts and all the Buoys. Better than that, we had a very successful afternoon of final Practice before breaking up for the 5.00pm Official Opening Ceremony.

The guests of honour at the lakeside Athletes Parade were Mr Ron Froehlich, President of the International World Games Association and the Mayoress of Ogata Village. Other speakers included Mr Masayuki Suzuki, President of Japan Waterski Association and Graziano Tognala, Secretary General of the International Waterski Federation. In a beautiful red sunset the large crowd of spectators and athletes applauded Mr Froehlich’s comments that a successful World Games for Waterskiing is a great show piece for later Olympic entry.

The World Games for Waterskiing start in earnest at 8.00am tomorrow, Friday. First on the water will be Barefoot Slalom, followed by Tournament Women’s Tricks, Men’s Slalom, Men’s Jump and Women’s Wakeboard. It’s a packed day and between now and Sunday’s Closing Ceremony, there is not even a lunch break on the timetable !

As we left the site tonight, there was no doubt in anybody’s mind that this is going to be a great World Games for us. Japanese hospitality has been outstanding and there is no shortage of equipment and eager personnel to do the job. Tomorrow’s message will be loaded with results !

Des Burke-Kennedy

Akita

Japan

(Photos –  click to enlarge)

Mr Graziano Tognala addressing the Athletes at the World Games Opening Ceremony.

Mr Ron Froehlich, President of the International World Games Association and Mr Graziano Tognala.

The 25 National Federations with 82 Skiers and Riders

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