Jakarta, Wednesday, 6th Oct 2010
Unfortunately technical problems, putting the wakeboard boat out of commission, disrupted the wakeboard familiarization programme first thing in the morning, after just five of the forty riders had taken their turns. It was obviously hoped to catch-up later but it was not to be.
The traditional gong was sounded for the opening ceremony by Paul Fong, President of IWWF AAO,
accompanied by Danny Boestami, representing the Indonesian Water Ski Association and coincidentally celebrating his 46th birthday and a representative from the organizing body.
Although the sun broke through briefly mid-morning, it was not to last when threatening grey clouds moved increasingly closer to Lake Sunter and the heavens opened. The women’s trick competition had already begun when proceedings were interrupted during the tropical downpour, accompanied by ear shattering crashes of thunder. It, at least, gave time to reflect on some of the women trick runs that had gone before with 7-year old Yoong Hanifah Aaliya (MAS) receiving the loudest applause scoring 720 points beating several more senior competitors.
After the rain abated it was left to China’s Yu Fei Song with 5,380 points to split the two Australian competitors Chelsea Scott with 4,970 and Cathryn Humphrey who leads the field of seventeen with 5,480 points.
The men trickers were to be no luckier with the weather when another passing storm darkened the sky and unleashed another deluge. Scores remain preliminary at this stage but
Ryan Green(AUS) leads the field after an impressive run of flips on his return pass. The Kiwis Lance Green and Cole Atkinson lie 2nd and 3rd followed by Shi Long Fei (CHN) and local hero Akbar Imasyah Nur in 5th.
Neil Harris Chairman of the AAO and IWWF Wakeboard Council took the opportunity to conduct a beginners judging course which was well attended by delegates from the AAO Confederation.
A full day’s programme follows tomorrow with preliminary slalom rounds followed by jump and women’s wakeboard. Meanwhile there will no doubt be a few prayers offered to the weather gods overnight.