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SPECTACULAR START TO CABLE WAKEBOARD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FIRST MEDALS AWARDED TO BOYS AND GIRLS
  With athletes from 32 Countries arriving on site in the Philippines, the colorful nations flags were carried into the Deca Cable Wakeboard Park on Monday in perfect timing to enjoy a warm Tropical sunset. The combination of 201 Wakeboard Riders and 48 Wakeskaters from so many Countries made this World Championships Opening Ceremony a very special occasion. Native dancers added to the carnival atmosphere before the standing-room-only Press Conference provided the programme details for the many journalists and TV crews assembled on site.
The Qualification Rounds commenced sharply on Tuesday at 08.00hrs and ran all the way through till the sun set at 18.30hrs. These continued again on Wednesday, culminating in the awarding of the first of many medals this week. Those on stage a few hours ago to receive their awards were the Cable Wakeboard Riders in the Girls and Boys categories.
In the Girls category, 14 year-old Lottie Harbottle GBR took second place in the British Nationals this year and again impressed all here with her Bronze Medal performance. Germany's Vanessa Weinhauer took second place in the recent Europe Africa Championships and today repeated that with a Silver Medal performance. However, it was the reigning Europe Africa Champion, Sanne Meijet NED, who continued her successful 2012 season by taking the first Gold Medal to be awarded at this World Championships to now become the Girls Cable Wakeboard World Champion.
  In the Boys Wakeboard category, the young Riders from Great Britain really impressed all. Ryan Peacock and Harry Eames, both 15 years of age, made it to the Podium. Peacock, the current British National Champion took the Bronze Medal. Eames repeated his own British Nationals performance by also taking the Silver Medal here at the World Championships. There were no doubts about the winner however. Hungary's Hegadus Akos had already taken the Gold Medal at the recent Europe Africa Championships and today added the prestigious title of Boys World Champion to his collection.
The action packed World Championships programme in the Philippines continues through to Sunday evening. The live Webcast from Deca Cable Wakeboard Park will be available for the Men and Women Open Finals on Saturday and Sunday at www.IWWF.TV
One of the most inspiring features of these 2012 Cable Wakeboard World Championships has been the very impressive mix of all the age groups from Boys and Girls all the way through to the Veterans. With the low cost of entry to the sport, the high return on investment for the operators and the environmentally friendly design of the Rixen 718m Cable system, the fact that the number of countries entered has doubled since the last World Championships shows clearly that this is a well-run activity with true global appeal.
Start lists and results of these Cable Wakeboard World Championships will be available at :
http://myzone.cablewakeboard.net/en/116/?sub=6&comp=482
Reports and photos will also be uploaded at the IWWF Facebook Page and also at :
http://www.iwwfed.com
LIVE WEBCAST AT : www.IWWF.TV
INTERNATIONAL WATERSKI & WAKEBOARD FEDERATION
http://www.iwwfed.com
CONTACT : Des Burke-Kennedy, Media Chairman, International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation
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