Friday began with some dark clouds in the sky and hot rain here in tropical Putrajaya Malaysia just north of the Equator. However, the 34C temperature did not stop either the Official Practice or final preparations. Thanks to some good management by Chief Judge Nikki Lee USA and a very professional group of World Cup Skiers, the Official Practice was completed on time before 18.00hrs. Well done to all.

As the rain cleared, the World Cup Skiers adjusted to the exotic Putrajaya site. The large team from the Malaysian Waterski Federation and the Putrajaya Corporation

worked on an enormous range of event facilities without a break. These included the construction of a giant Jumbo Screen, a lakeside Tented Village, over 1km of high quality signage, the building of a huge range of

sound towers throughout the site, the erection of several VIP viewing areas and some with catering and air-conditioning facilities, inflatable entry gates, fully branded Prize Podium, the supply of Golf Carts for visitors and Skiers, and much more. This is an enormous team effort.

On the technical side, the RTM OB TV Truck arrived early on site today for planning meetings with the World Cup Communications team. They completed the final

arrangements for the installation and positioning of eight TV cameras, the linking system for the World Cup multi-screen Webcast Studio four floors directly above the Slalom site in the distinctive Putrajaya Glass Tower, connections to the Jumbo Screen and Sound Desk and Judges Tower, plus links to the distinctive red MasterCraft competition boats. The World Cup

Communications team has pioneered this multi-camera Webcast system and the moment of truth will arrive at 11.00hrs tomorrow morning with the Womens Slalom Preliminary Round. Fingers are crossed that all this delicate technology will stay well away from Murphy’s Law !

The last chore tonight was the final cleaning and polishing of the two new MasterCraft boats. As we left the site, they really did look ready for action ! Our World Cup athletes then had two options kindly offered by our hosts – a special visit to the historical City of Malacca on the coast or a quiet night in the luxurious Village Restaurant at the official World Cup Hotel on the lake, the Putrajaya Pullman. All is now set for a great Saturday Preliminary Round and we hope that the hot rain will move away for the coming days.

While the World Cup will kick off at 11.00hrs, at 08.00hrs, Leg 4 of the Malaysian Waterski and Wakeboard Nationals will take place on site. This will be a unique

opportunity for the Malaysian athletes to share the stage with the top Skiers in the World and is all part of the very impressive development scheme launched just one year ago after the 2008 World Cup experience.

Don’t forget to check out our Putrajaya World Cup Website tomorrow by just clicking on our LIVE VIDEO tab above.