IWWF Asia Oceania

81 athletes from 29 countries competed in the water ski programme, which recently concluded at The World Games 2009, hosted by the city of Kaohiung, Taiwan. This included 25 barefoot skiers, 26 tournament skiers and 30 wakeboard riders.

A huge effort was undertaken by the Kaohsiung Organizing Committee and the Kaohsiung Municipality to convert the scenic but initially heavily polluted Lotus Lake into a venue suitable to host a world water ski and wakeboard event, subsequently reborn as Lotus Pond.

A typhoon hit Kaohsiung the weekend before the water ski events causing significant disruption. Canoe polo resorted to moving to an inside swimming pool, which caused some delay in clearing their facilities at Lotus Pond, but otherwise water skiing was fortunate that the typhoon, which had always been a concern, was over.

Likewise occasional southwesterlies caused some disturbed water, which along with torrential downpours resulted in some event postponements and rescheduling. This included barefoot tricks, which was held early morning on the reserve day Sunday 27 July 2009.

The competition was pulled by three reliable Correct Craft boats including two 2009 Ski Nautique 196 w/6.0 409 PCM engines and one 2009 Nautique Super Air 210 w/5.7 343HP Excalibur PMC engine. A specialist boat was used for barefoot. The IWSF AA Confederation is delighted that the two Ski Nautiques will remain in Taiwan after the event, together with the barefoot jump ramp.

After several years of little activity the Chinese Taipei Water Ski Association some four years ago, on learning of the award of the World Games 2009 to Kaohsiung, took on the challenge to assist the IWSF in making it a successful event. Under the leadership of their Chairman Thomas Lin they responded admirably and brought about a healthy revival and interest in the sport of water skiing and wakeboarding in Taiwan.

Commenting at a closing function for officials and helpers from the IWSF and the Chinese Taipei Water Ski Association, who had contributed so much to setting-up the site and running a successful event, IWSF President Kuno Ritschard praised the Association and in particular the leadership and financial support of Thomas Lin, which included the acquisition and installation of a brand new engine on the barefoot ski boat mid-competition.

Tournament and barefoot skiing at the World Games are overall competitions recognizing the most complete skiers in their three events of slalom, tricks and jump.

IWSF Asian Australasian Confederation President, Paul Fong extended his congratulations to the winning skiers and riders and their Federations in the AA Region. These included Megan Ross (NZL) 2^nd Women’s Jump and Ashleigh Stebbeings (AUS) silver medallist in Women’s Barefoot Overall, 1^st Women’s Barefoot Slalom, 1^st Women’s Barefoot Tricks and 2^nd Women’s Barefoot Jump.   It was particularly pleasing for him to have Asian competitors amongst the medallists in Wakeboard demonstrating the huge strides that have been made over recent years in Asia. Miku Asai (JPN) and Padiwat Jaemjan (THA) won bronze medals in women and men’s wakeboard respectively.

A splendid closing ceremony at the magnificent main stadium, built specially for the World Games, brought an end to The World Games 2009, Kaohsiung, but certainly not the memories.

“ My best wakeboard experience ever.” commented Caitlin Blauw (AUS).

“Awesome, particularly my PB (Personal Best) 18.2m barefoot jump.” commented Elaine Heller (USA), overall women’s barefoot gold medallist.

Not to be forgotten is Andrea Landau in the IWSF Bologna, Italy office, who co-ordinated the registration of athletes, officials and supporters with the KOC. Thank you Andrea!

Meanwhile we wish Liao Chun-Yi (TPE) a speedy recovery from her knee injury.