Germany, Great Britain & Republic of Koera take Medals at Cable Wakeboard Championships

With 32 countries represented by over 200 Riders, the entry level to these World Championships attracted the very best athletes in the sport of Cable Wakeboard. As one of the sports shortlisted for entry to the 2020 Olympic Games, the level of interest in the event was extensive.

In perfect weather conditions at the newly constructed Deca Clark Cable Wakeboard Park located 80km from Manila in the Philippines, the Finals for both Open Women and Men delivered the highest standards seen to date. The large outdoor screen featuring the live Webcast for the spectators and extensive media coverage on site, created a perfect carnival atmosphere for these 2012 World Championships. It was 33C / 96Fh with sunny skies all day for the Finals.

The eight Riders in the Open Women Finals represented Australia, Austria, Netherlands, Great Britain and Germany. These included the defending World Champion, Kirsteen Mitchell GBR. With positions changing as the scores arrived for each performance, the thrilling conclusion saw Cosima Giemza GER, the recent Tokyo World Cup Silver Medalist, taking the Bronze Medal. Defending World Champion, Kirsteen Mitchell GBR, was again outstanding and took the Silver Medal. Back in 2010, Sophia Marie Reimers GER captured the Junior Gold Medal. Today at the Deca Clark Cable Wakeboard Park in the Philippines, she created the perfect double with an outstanding performance to become the Open Women World Cable Wakeboard Champion with her Gold Medal Performance.

The eight Open Men's Finalists included Riders from Hungary, Thailand, Israel, Republic of Korea, Great Britain and Germany. From the very start, this was a thrilling event. The young 15 year-old Rider from the Republic of Korea, Im San, opted out of the Junior category to take on the World's best in Open Men. As the first Rider out on the Rixen Cable system, he stunned all present. His opening score of 70.0 sent shock waves back to those other Finalists waiting on the dock ! Defending World Champion, Nick Davies GBR was unfortunate. A re-ride did not get him on to the podium this time around. However, in the closing moments, British Rider Declan Clifford put in the performance of his life and managed to take the lead from the young Korean star of the day, Im San. However, none could beat the current Europe Africa and Tokyo World Cup Champion, Frederic von Osten. This 19 year-old athlete from Hamburg in Germany is in a league of his own at the moment. He has now added the title of World Cable Wakeboard Champion to his growing collection.

At the Official Closing Ceremony, the Mayor of Philippines Angeles City, Edgardo Pamintuan, passed the flag of the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) to Hans Sundsvalen, the Mayor of Norway's Sauherad Municipality, the host of the 2014 World Championships.