2008 WUC Waterski: Update
October 2nd, 2008
Men's Slalom
On October 1st, the Opening Ceremony for the 2nd World University Waterskiing Championship was held on Dongli Lake, a beautiful resort in the city of Tianjin, China. It is the second time Dongli Lake holds such an international waterskiing competition. In the year 2005, the same site successfully held the IWSF World Cup. This time, the championship has attracted more than 130 participants from 15 nations, covering 4 continents. These skiers are here to participate in three events: slalom, water tricks and water jump.
Before the Opening ceremony, the vice-major of Tianjin, Madam Zhang Junfang, also the president of the LOC, and Mr.Zhang Xinsheng, vice-president of FISU and the president of AUSF and FUSC, had a meeting with FISU CISCA members as well as IWSF delegates. Madam Zhang thanked them for their hard work and kind help. She also expressed her warm welcome on behalf of the OC. After the short meeting, FISU CISCA delegates, Dr. Ralethe Malumbete, Dr. Byong-Jin You, Dr. Sergey Efimushkin, as well as Mr. Zhang Xinsheng and Madam Zhang Junfang attended the opening ceremony. Also present at the opening ceremony were Dr. AL-HAI Omar A., Dr. Jagalsalkhan Dorjsuren, Dr. Chung Tong Gu from the EC of the Asian University Sports Federation.
CISCA & OC Meeting
Madam Zhang delivered an opening speech to all the guests and sent her warmest welcome to the skiers, officials, judges, media persons and spectators. Her speech was followed by another one from Ralethe Malumbete, FISU first assessor. After a few sentences in Chinese, Malumbete confirmed the important role sport plays in promoting togetherness and friendship in the world. He also expressed his gratitude to the Chinese people for their strong drive and contribution for hosting such university championships. He then invited Dr. Zhang to deliver a speech and declare the Opening of the Championship.
At 11:00 am, the competitions started as planned. Today skiers competed in the preliminary round in Men’s and Women’s Slalom. As for Men’s Slalom, Jean-Baptiste Faisy from France topped the result list. Cale Burdick from the US ranked the second and Petr Vesely from Czech Republic came in the third.
Michael Ralethe Malumbete, FISU First Assessor
Athlete's Oath
Women's Slalom
Men's Slalom
