24 trick skiers and 36 wakeboard riders, representing 13 countries have assembled here in Muscat , Oman, for water skiing’s first participation in the Asian Beach Games from 8-16 December 2010.
Organised in conjunction with the Olympic Council of Asia the inaugural games were held in Bali in 2008.
While conditions in the bay at Qantab have been calm all week reports indicate that winds of 60km/hr in the Middle East have disrupted shipping in the Suez Canal and Red Sea. Consequently the seas around Oman have been rougher than expected making the familiarisation practice difficult for both skiers and riders.
Hot favourite for the wakeboard event is the Thai rider Jaemjat Padiwat(Bom), reigning Asian Male Champion, and Chen Li-li (China) women’s Champion at the recently concluded Asian Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia .
The trick skiing event is wide open with Japan missing from the competition leaving the Malaysians, Koreans and Chinese vying for the honours.