 The town of Enniskillen in Northern Ireland really took this Stop of
the World Cup series to heart. It also provided a totally new level of
competition technology in partnership with the Irish Waterski Federation and
MasterCraft. Add to this a large and enthusiastic audience, outstanding
performances from the athletes and strong local media support and the outcome
was certainly impressive.
Following previous 2006 World Cup Stops in Qatar, France,
China and Russia, it was time to return for the second consecutive year to
Enniskillen. Global Airport chaos did not prevent a full attendance by the
qualifying athletes from 18 countries. Many were forced to divert to other
Airports, hire cars and even use Sea Ferries to reach the competition site on
time. Cool temperatures had no impact on the warm welcoming atmosphere. The
north west wind direction was perfect for the Jump event.
For the first time ever, a 250m section of a system called
Wave Barrier was used to create a calm competition site in spite of the large
volume of passing pleasure boats. Kuno Ritschard, President of the International
Water Ski Federation stated that this could open up many new possible venues for
future World Cup Stops. The automatic electronic SplashEye jump measurement
system which requires no human intervention was also used throughout this World
Cup Stop. Both were invented in Ireland. This was their first major exposure to
the world at large. MasterCraft also unveiled their first diesel powered
waterski prototype competition boat and caused quite a stir with its lower
running costs and a noise level almost 50% lower than the conventional craft.
This demonstration boat was powered by Volkswagen Marine and could be available
to the public within twelve months. To add to this array of interesting
inventions, a simple “Slalometer” was used to explain to the public the
significance of rope shortenings in Slalom scoring.
 With only four positions available in each Women’s World
Cup Finals and six in the Mens, many of the 47 athletes could not survive the
Preliminary rounds. The uncharacteristic Semi Final surprises were the failure
to qualify of the 2005 Enniskillen World Cup Slalom champion Karen Truelove
(USA), the World Slalom Champion Will Asher (GBR) and the 2006 Qatar Shortboard
champion, Jimmy Siemers (USA).
The Ladies Slalom Final came first starting with Clementine
Lucine (FRA). She was the only athlete to qualify for all three Finals – as she
also did in Dubna in Russia just two weeks ago. Her score of four buoys on the
12 meter line set the pace. Sarah Green (GBR) tied this score but it was Natalie
Hamrick’s day as she was the only one to score anything on the 11.25m line.
Having had two major wins in the USA and Europe in recent weeks, her return to
form was very well timed. The surprise in the Men’s Slalom final was the failure
of Italy’s talented Thomas Degasperi to clear the 12m line. Last year’s
Enniskillen winner, Jodi Fisher (GBR) had an outstanding score of 5.5 buoys on
the very short 11.25m line. However, the tall 6’4” Canadian, Drew Ross, stole
the show with a great score of two buoys on the even shorter 10.75m line. This
was his first World Cup victory.
 Shortboard came next. Here the surprise was the early fall
in her second Pass of Regina Jaquess (USA). This was her first World Cup
appearance. While Danyelle Bennett (USA) and Clementine Lucine (FRA) clocked up
very respectable scores, the World Champion Mandy Nightingale (USA) returned to
the top following a second place recently in the World Cup Stop in Dubna in
Russia. Her score in Enniskillen of 8530 points was 580 points ahead of her
nearest rival Lucine. The Men’s Shortboard Final was a dramatic affair. Aliaksei
Zharnasek (BLR) was the year-to-date points leader. World Record holder Nicolas
LeForestier (FRA) had a very poor World Cup performance in Qatar last April and
was still playing “catch up “. Oleg Deviatovski (BLR) scored a new personal best
of 11,140 points and LeForestier was then forced to take some serious risks.
However, on this day it all paid off as he snatched the title from Deviatovski
with a winning score of 11,670 points.
 When the Jump Finals arrived, the Enniskillen arena in the
shadow of its 12th Century Castle overlooking the site was packed to capacity.
Even the weather was kind while the rest of Western Europe suffered very heavy
rains. The Ladies battle was a predictable duel between World Champion Ageliki
Andriopoulou (GRE) and Denmark’s June Fladborg. Fladborg put enormous pressure
on the Greek athlete by posting an early score of 47.2m. distance. Andriopoulou
then scored zero on her first attempt, to increase the suspense. However, her
following distance of 48.9m took the title and also set a new Enniskillen Course
Record. In the Men’s Jump event, Jaret Lewellyn (CAN) returned to defend his
2005 Enniskillen title. As predicted, Freddy Krueger (USA) was his greatest
threat. Krueger set the pace with a score of 68.2m plus a new Irish Allcomers
Record. However, with eleven World Records to his credit, Lewellyn on this
occasion could only get to 66.8m to take second place. Sebastien DiPasqua (SWI)
scored an impressive distance of 64.4m and a World Cup third place.
At the closing World Cup Banquet in the nearby Manor House
Ballroom, the Enniskillen sponsors, Fermanagh District Council, Waterways
Ireland and Northern Ireland Events Company, all declared that they were looking
forward to the return of the World Cup series to this very picturesque site in
2007.
While there is still one Wakeboard event to complete in
September in Singapore in the 2006 Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup series,
this was the final Waterski event. The total season’s points have now been
calculated and the overall World Cup Waterski winners will be announced in the
coming days.
SLALOM WINNERS - Women
1. Natalie Hamrick (USA) 0.5 x
11.25m
2. Sarah Green (GBR) 4 x 12m
3. Clementine Lucine (FRA) 4 x 12m
SLALOM WINNERS - Men
1. Drew Ross (CAN) – 2 x 10.75m
2.
Jodi Fisher (GBR) – 5.5 x 11.25m
3. Jamie Beauchesne (USA) – 4 x 11.25m
SHORTBOARD WINNERS - Women
1. Mandy Nightingale (USA) –
8,530
2. Clementine Lucine (FRA) – 7,950
3. Danyelle Bennett (USA) –
5,860
SHORTBOARD WINNERS - Men
1. Nicolas LeForestier (FRA) –
11,670
2. Oleg Deviatovski (BLR) – 11,140
3. Aliaksei Zharnosek (BLR) –
11,060
JUMP WINNERS – Women
1. Ageliki Andriopoulou (GRE) –
48.9m
2. June Fladborg (DEN) – 47.2m
3. Clementine Lucine (FRA) –
45.7m
JUMP WINNERS - Men
1. Freddy Krueger (USA) – 68.2m
2.
Jaret Llewellyn (CAN) – 66.8m
3. Sebastien DiPasqua – 64.4m
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