The World Class entry level is about as good as its gets. The very best Waterski talent from 14 countries will chase a portion of the season’s US$500,000 cash prize fund. In all events, the battle will be enormous.

 

Freddy Krueger (USA) set a pending World Jump Record of 72.5m / 238 ft two months ago at the Masters in Callaway Gardens in the USA – his fourth World Record. He has taken an extraordinary five titles in his past five competitions this year. He also took first place in Dubna last year with a distance of 65.5m. He will again be pushed to his absolute limit by Jaret Llewellyn (CAN) to make it six victories out of six. Llewellyn, however, has broken the World Jump Record nine times – and really wants to make it 10  !

 

Nicolas LeForestier (FRA) also set a new pending World Record of 12,370 points just two weeks ago. His pedigree includes 13 European Champion titles, 4 World Champion titles and he has been ranked number one in the World an impressive 15 times. Watch out for further potential improvements on his World Record at Dubna. This is a Russian audience which really appreciates Trick skiing.

 

Glen Campbell (GBR) will be under enormous pressure also to defend his Dubna World Cup Stop Slalom title this year. Jamie Beauchesne (USA), co-holder of the World Slalom Record for several years, returns again to bury the disappointment of his own 2004 performance here.

 

Natalie Hamrick (USA) was crowned the 2004 Dubna World Cup Slalom Champion, one of the best performances of her career. With 2005 victories at the Malibu Open and French Masters, she too will want that top spot on the podium on the Volga River.

 

World Trick Champion, Mandy Nightingale (USA) recently took the Trick titles at both the Masters in the USA and the MasterCraft Pro Championships. She was defeated in Dubna last year by Clementine Lucine (FRA) and both are back to continue the battle.

 

June Fladborg (DEN), European Jump Champion and recent Malibu Open Jump Champion, has a personal battle to fight this year. Emma Sheers (AUS) jumped 48.5m here in 2004 to take the Stop title. Knee surgery last week has taken her off this starting list. Fladborg sees a World Jump title for Denmark within her grasp by the end of the year. This World Cup Stop will be a test of her determination. Again, Clementine Lucine (FRA) and Brenda Baldwin (USA) will not make it easy for her.

 

This return to Dubna in Russia has all the makings of a truly classic event. It was one of the World Cup highlights in 2004. Sponsor’s MasterCraft have already got the competition boats and support crews in place. Sponsor’s Akrilan have managed a first class marketing campaign to maximize interest in this Stop of the World Cup. With over 50,000 spectators expected during the weekend, full TV coverage by NTV+ and ProActive TV, the magnificent setting on the Volga River – plus enormous support from Dubna’s Mayor Prokh and the entire City, the International Waterski Federation has high expectations for another fascinating World Cup Stop in Russia on July 30/31.