WET CONDITIONS NOT A PROBLEM FOR SEASONED WATER SKI HOT SHOTS

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Though the weathermen had forecast heavy rain
during the weekend, competitors of the 2008 Putrajaya Wakeboard and Water Ski
World Cup seem to have no qualms.

Instead, the skiiers set a positive tone during the preliminary training
session held at the Putrajaya Lake in Precint 6 here Wednesday despite training
in the rain.
Even though most of the skiiers have yet to arrive in Putrajaya,
competitors
who are here already feel that training under wet conditions would help them
adapt better to the conditions when qualifying rounds start on Saturday.

Current leader for the women's tricks category, Clementine Lucine of France
said although she was not used to training in the rain and had never competed
under such circumstances before, she feels it would not be that difficult to get
used to it.

"I just need to adjust my tricks according to the weather," she said after
wrapping up her preliminary training session here Wednesday.

Lucine holds the World Tricks Record, clocking up 8840 points in McCormicks
Fall Classic in Florida, USA, two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Siemers of USA who was last year's World Tricks and
overall
champion said rainy conditions might not suit many participants but the
International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) regulations allow events to be delayed
if it rained heavily or when there was a thunderstorm.

However he says skiiers are capable of mastering tricks even on wet
conditions.

"It's really a sport and anyone with talent can win, you never know. But
I'm
glad I arrived early," he said.

Canadian Ryan Dodd said he had been longing for such a challenge for some
time now and feels God had answered his prayers.

"It could be more fun competing on a wet setting, after all they don't call
it 'extreme sports' for no reason, right," he said.

The event, which involves three disciplines -- slalom, tricks and
jumping - will be held at the water sports complex in Precinct 6, Putrajaya
this weekend.
--BERNAMA