FIRST WATERSKI WORLD CUP ATHLETES ARRIVE IN DUBNA RUSSIA

Moscow’s two international Airports were busier than usual today with the arrival of the Waterski World Cup athletes from twelve countries making their way to the city of Dubna for the first World Cup Stop of the 2009 season. The impressive huge roadside posters advertising the event, plus the excellent weather forecast, should ensure that the 30,000 seats waiting at the Volga River stadium will be full on this Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures of 29C and sunshine are expected with a light breeze.

Dubna is now recognized as a major international economic zone and science city centre for IT, Nuclear Physics Technologies and Nanotechnology. Its new Palace of Sport and Conference Centre offer some of the best facilities available anywhere in the world today. This has all created a perfect environment for the World Cup athletes to perform at the highest level for the very knowledgeable Dubna audience.

In discussions today with Kuno Ritschard, President of the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF), Dubna City Mayor, Valery Prokh, confirmed that he will submit a formal bid to host the 2011 Waterski World Championships at the Dubna World Cup site. This bid will be presented to the IWSF Congress in Calgary, Canada, in August.

The first World Cup athletes to arrive in Dubna were Franck Desboyaux FRA, Jimmy Siemers USA, Marion Aynaud FRA, Maria Camilla Linares COL, Nicolas LeForestier FRA and Sergio Font MEX. The official MasterCraft boats are in transit from Moscow and will be prepared and launched later this evening here in Dubna by their support team. The site has been homologated by IWSF official Nigel Talamo GBR to World Record standard.

Training for Shortboard followed by Jump will start at 10.30hrs on Friday and finish at 11.30 on Saturday morning. The first World Cup Semi-Final will start on Saturday at Noon. The Shortboard and Jump Finals will commence at the same time on Sunday. All are looking forward to the spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremonies for which Dubna is now renowned. This will include a special water show, fireworks display and some surprises for the large audience.

Full reports, photos and results will be posted on the Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup site at waterskiandwakeboardworldcup.com

TIMETABLE

Friday
10.30 – 15.00 Practice

Saturday
09.00 – 11.30 Practice
12.00 – 14.00 Semi-Final Shortboard
14.00 – 14.30 World Cup Opening Ceremony
14.30 – 17.00 Semi-Finals Jump

Sunday
12.00 – 16.30 Finals Shortboard and Jump
16.30 – World Cup Closing Ceremony
22.00 – World Cup Show at the Waterski Stadium