MasterCraft & IWSF Create World Cup Series Of Events
PRESS RELEASE:
Vonore, TN – MasterCraft and the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) are partnering up to create the world’s largest water sports tour – the Water Ski and Wakeboard World Cup. The World Cup will stop in France, Russia, China, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States and Qatar. Each stop will offer an unprecedented purse of up to $100,000 – the largest per-event purse in water ski history.
For months, MasterCraft Boat Company's European distributor, MasterCraft of Europe, has been working hard with international dignitaries to host World Cup water sports events in the planet’s largest cities. MasterCraft of Europe's Chairman, Ian Birdsall has confirmed Paris, Moscow, Shanghai, Singapore, London, and Doha will be host to World Cup events in 2004. West Palm Beach is expected to join the circuit soon and add a seventh event. “The World Cup is probably the most significant step forward this decade to providing world wide exposure for water skiing, wakeboarding and its athletes," said Birdsall.
Last week, Birdsall and Kuno Richard, President of the IWSF, met in Paris to sign a five-year exclusive agreement for MasterCraft to provide towboats and other support for the WaterSki and Wakeboard World Cup commencing this June.
“With a cash prize purse of up to $100,000 per stop and global media coverage of the events, public interest is bound to be high and we expect to see some of the best performances ever behind MasterCraft’s X-Star and ProStar 190/197,” Birdsall added.
In addition to the newly formed World Cup series of events, MasterCraft will also tow the MasterCraft Pro Water Ski Championships, the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, the MasterCraft Euro Pro Wakeboard Tour, the US Open, the US Nationals, the X-Games, the Vans Triple Crown, the INT, the French Masters and the British Masters this summer.
“We are more dedicated and invested in growing water sports than at any other time in our history,” said John Dorton, President & CEO of MasterCraft Boat Company. “The World Cup has been a long time in coming and we’re excited the IWSF has chosen MasterCraft to tow these events. We would especially like to thank Ian Birdsall for his undying effort. This would not be possible without the spirit and enthusiasm of MasterCraft of Europe.”
June 19-20 Enghien/France (near Paris) - Wakeboard - Men and Women
July 24-25 Dubna/Russia (near Moscow) - 3 Event Ski - Men and Women
Sept. 3-4 London/England - 3 Event Ski - Men and Women
Sept. 10/12 Singapore – Wakeboard
Oct. 2-3 Chang Shu/China (near Shanghai) - 3 Event Ski - Men and Women
*Oct. 8-10 West Palm Beach/Florida US Open - 3 Event Ski - Men and Women
Nov. 25/27 Doha/Qatar - 3 Event Ski and Wakeboard - Men only
(*Indicates unconfirmed event)
MasterCraft is the world’s largest producer of inboard and V-drive water ski, wakeboard and luxury performance powerboats. For more information, model specifications, high- and low-res digital images or 35mm running and detail shots, please contact Casey Quilter at 423-884-2221, ext. 1205. Or, visit our website at www.mastercraft.com.
