As President of USA Wakeboard, I wanted to pass along a letter from IWSF. There are however several significant benefits that USA Wakeboard is adding
Any rider may compete at IWSF World Championship as an individual athlete.
USA Wakeboard has budgeted over $18,000 for expenses for Team USA to attend this event. Team selection will be based on desire to go, IWSF Standings, and performance in both Board-up Miami and USA Wakeboard Nationals.
Because wakeboarding is now part of the Pan American Games, The United States Olympic Committee has funded OPERATION GOLD. If a male or female places 1st - 4th from the USA at the IWSF World Championship, USOC will pay the following thru USA Wakeboard.
1st Place: $2,500
2nd Place: $2,000
3rd Place: $1,500
4th Place: $1,000
Now here is the letter from IWSF
Sent: 3/29/2009 11:55:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Wakeboard World Championships letter to riders
Dear Wakeboarders,
I hope this e-mail finds you well. I write to you to receive early indication if you will be participating in the IWSF Wakeboard World Championships .
With all best intentions for the growth of wakeboarding and with the riders best interest in mind, the IWSF scheduled its 2009 IWSF Wakeboard World Championships earlier this having consulted various parties. We carefully chose a week in the beginning of 2009 that was clear of other major events throughout the world, trade shows, major wakeboard tour dates or events scheduled by other organizations. We were in communication with World Sports Marketing, and they were well aware of the date of the IWSF Wakeboard World Championships. They had not, at that time, scheduled a date for the WWA Worlds.
Surf EXPO has being brought forward this year by 1 month and now there is a conflict of dates with the WWA Worlds being scheduling on the same dates as the IWSF Worlds. The IWSF has since contacted WWA and Shannon Starling about this conflict and there is unfortunately no compromise from them. Unfortunately riders throughout the world have to choose which event they will be attend.
What are the advantages of participating in the 2009 IWSF Wakeboard World Championships?
The elite and up-and-coming junior riders who participate in the IWSF Wakeboard World Championships to be held in Korea from 24th -29th August 2009 will be considered for selection for the 2009 and 2010 IWSF Wakeboard World Cup Series. Prize money for each stop is a minimum of USD60,000 and typically USD80,000 per stop.
Please forward an indication to me at
wwcneilharris@hotmail.com or
wakeboarding@bigpond.com.au to indicate your attendance in advance.
Regards
Neil Harris
Chairman, IWSF World Wakeboard Council