The Philippines is set to host the world’s best when the 2012 Cable Wakeboard World Championships roll into town from November 6-11 at the Deca Wakeboard Park in Clark in Angeles, Pampanga.
Around 33 riders, led by powerhouse bets from Germany, Austria, Korea and Thailand, are expected to converge at the new, world-class facility.
The venue, which will complement and compete with the highly-popular Camsur Watersports Complex, boasts of a Rixen German made cable system with a 5-corner design layout with all the obstacles sourced from Germany to ensure a world-class wakeboarding park experience.
The elite field is expected to showcase their tricks as they slug it out for top honors in the Int. 6 Star Event (1000 points) sanctioned by the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF).
“We are leaving no stone unturned as we prepare for our first hosting of the world championships,” said J.V. Borromeo, chairman of the Waterski and Wakeboard Association of the Philippines.
“We are looking forward to a successful event and with it, we expect to sustain the steady growth of the sport in the country and at the same time help boost Philippine tourism,” he added.
To jumpstart the Filipinos’ first foray in the Cable Wakeboard Worlds, the WWASP has set the Philippine Qualifying Series “PQS” on Sept. 8 in Lago de Oro, Batangas, Sept. 29 in Deca Davao and Oct. 20 in Deca Clark.
Sixty aspirants are expected in every leg, each gunning for ranking points that would earn them slots to the final team to the meet.
“Since we are the hosts, we aim to field as many as we can, at least 30 riders,” said Borromeo, expecting the Filipinos’ familiarity with course and environs of the brand new facility built by DeCa 8990 Housing Development Corp. to work to their advantage.
Tipped to lead the charge of the hometown bets are 2011 Southeast Asian Games bronze medalists Samantha Bermudez, Mark Griffin and Carlo dela Torre. Bermudez won a bronze in the female wakeboard event and landed another podium finish in the team category alongside Griffin and dela Torre, respectively.
“Our riders are preparing hard and their training is continuous knowing they will be ranged against the world’s best. They also train weekly to familiarize themselves with the course,” said Borromeo.
He expressed confidence the local bets will come up with a good showing.
“Although it will be our first time in the worlds, we will be ready to compete. Some of our riders are very competitive and I think we have the home court advantage,” said Borromeo.
The Cable Wakeboard Worlds will feature men’s and women’s competitions in the open, juniors, veterans and masters categories as well as the highly technical Wake Skate discipline.
source: interaksyon.com
