MASTERCRAFT POWERS BOTH RIDERS AND WATERSKI JUMPERS HERE IN IMMACULATE LINYI CITY AT THIS FINAL 2011 WORLD CUP STOP

 

 

 

We are now convinced that sunshine follows the World Cup Series ! Following poor weather here in Lunyi recently, once our World Cup Riders and Waterski Jumpers arrived in town, it was sunshine all the way. Last week in Kuching City in Sarawak Borneo, it was exactly the same. Today was the busiest yet here. The very well managed Programme included Wakeboard Men LCQ, Jump Semi-Finals for both Men and Women, Wakeboard Women LCQ and Wakeboard Men Semi-Finals. Sunday will be Finals all the way.

 

World Cup Linyi – Day 2 LCQ Results

World Cup Linyi – Day 2 Pro Men’s Semi-Finals Results

 

As ever, our excellent Hotel Blue Horizon and well managed transport ensured that the Mens Wakeboard LCQ got of to a perfect start after a short excellent Waterski Show by our China hosts.With two Heats of six Riders and two Semi-Finals places available from each, both were very competitive with the higher standard in Heat 1. Emerging from that were Nikita Martyanov RUS and David O’Caoimh IRL. In Heat 2, Michael Callebert BEL was unlucky but here Lucas Langlois FRA and Steel Lafferty USA got through. Steel Lafferty has greatly impressed all as has David O’Caoimh and we hope to see both young Riders again in future World Cup Stops.

 

 

Next today came Men’s Jump Semi-Finals followed by Women’s Jump Semi-Finals – with six Finals places available for the Men and four for the Women. As Steve Critchley GBR was first out for the men, conditions were good but with a slight tail wind which was bound to hold distances back. The MasterCraft ProStar was driven by World Cup’s Davide Gandola ITA. Steve set the pace with 59.6m – good enough for a Finals place. Both Brian Kinney USA and Mark Lane USA were not so fortunate. Mark is still on the way back from injury but looks strong again. The only other surprise was Damien Sharman. His 57.1m was just not enough today. The last two off were 20 year old Zack Worden USA and the World Record holder / World Champion legend Freddy Krueger. Zack posted 64.1m on the board on his first attempt. Freddy took three jumps to beat that with 64.3m. Tomorrow’s finals promise to be special here in Linyi City in south east China.

 

 

By the time the Women arrived for Jump, that tail wind had increased and posed quite a challenge. Marion Mathieu FRA was the only casualty but recovered well from her fall. Marie Vympranietsova GRE really impressed on her return from injury with a lead score of 45.3m at the half way point – and a Finals place. Surprisingly, Alex Lauretano USA fell short today with 40.6m. The top three were really no surprise – Maj Jepsen DEN 42.7m, Jacinta Carroll AUS 47.6m and World Champion Natalia Berdnikova with 48.7m – all great scores given the tail wind.

 

 

Women’s Wakeboard LCQ was next – and as often happens, the tail wind disappeared and we again had perfect water conditions in glorious sunshine and huge numbers on spectators at this immaculate venue on the River Yihe. Here past World Champion Robbie Rendo was the only upset as she missed the Finals cut. All were delighted to see China’s Chen LiLi make it through with the experienced Elke Venken BEL.

 

 

 

The day finished with a warm sinking sun and thee Heats of Wakeboard Men’s Semi Finals. Unfortunately, the young rising star Steel Lafferty has not quite recovered from an upset stomach and missed a Finals place this time. Nikita Martyanov RUS and Sam Carne GBR were outstanding and made it through. In Heat 2, World Cup Rookie David ‘O Caoimh IRL lead at the half way point but just got pipped for a Finals place by Daniel Powers USA and Andrew Adkison USA who was superb. In the last Heat, Dan Nott GBR was the big surprise. He was beaten by Physiotherapist student Lucas Langlois FRA – and of course Harly Clifford who clocked up a near perfect 92.77 points to steal the show once again.

WE DO APOLOGISE FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE

A WEBCAST THIS TIME.

 

  SUNDAY – Sept 25 09.00-09.32 / Jump Women Finals 09.42-10.30 / Jump Men Finals 10.40-11.28 / Wakeboard Women Finals 11.38-12.26 / Wakeboard Men Finals 12.30-13.00 / World Cup Awards Ceremony