FINAL PREPARATIONS COMPLETED AS SKIERS AND RIDERS ARRIVE FROM AROUND THE WORLD

The timing of this 30th World Cup Stop is a little unusual as it will take place on Sunday and Monday, with Official Practice on Saturday, tomorrow. The immediate impression is one of excellence. When Nigel Talamo, the official World Cup Homologator arrived, he was pleasantly surprised to see that the Courses prepared on the water by the Korea Waterski & Wakeboard Association were perfect ! As all in our sport know, this is a major achievement. On the other hand, South Korea has over 600 Waterski and Wakeboard Clubs and an enormous depth of experience. The benefits of that experience show on all levels. Both the  CEO of the World Leisure Games and the Mayor of Chuncheon City visited us this afternoon and wished us well in the World Cup. It was great to see their interest as with 13,000 other athletes on site, they are very busy men !

First to arrive on site today were Waterski Jumpers from the USA, Scot Ellis and Mark Lane. Both competed in the London Night Jump competition last weekend and then moved on to the Cray Valley Waterski Club in the north of England on Monday. That is where June Fladborg DEN set the new pending World Record of 57.4m. They must be exhausted !

The MasterCraft boats have also arrived and both Riders and Skiers will continue to check in over the coming 12 hours. The Chuncheon site is on Lake Uiam which is a sheltered lake surrounded by mountains and forests – and a perfect holiday resort. It was 32C today with flat calm water. There is some rain in the area and we hope it will stay away for the coming days.

Tomorrow, Saturday, is Practice day and we will start with Shortboard. The Opening Ceremony will be at 1.30pm and then continue with Jump Practice till dusk.

This is a beautiful site organised by very experienced people and we are all looking forward to a great 30th World Cup competition and the last Stop of 2010.