MasterCraft and IWSF create World Cup series
VONORE, Tenn. – MasterCraft Boat Co. and the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) have partnered to create what they claim is the world’s largest water sports tour – the Water Ski and Wakeboard World Cup, MasterCraft reported in a recent release.
The World Cup will stop in France, Russia, China, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States and Qatar, and each stop will offer up to $100,000 – what the MasterCraft statement called “the largest per-event purse in water ski history.”
MasterCraft of Europe’s Chairman, Ian Birdsall, said Paris, Moscow, Shanghai, Singapore, London, and Doha will be host to World Cup events in 2004, and that West Palm Beach, Fla. 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,” Birdsall said.
MasterCraft signs with IWSF
Birdsall and Kuno Richard, president of the IWSF, recently 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, which begins this June, MasterCraft said.
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 and CEO of MasterCraft Boat Co. “The World Cup has been a long time in coming, and we’re excited the IWSF has chosen MasterCraft to tow these events.
World Cup Calendar:
(*Indicates unconfirmed event)
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