ALL THE BUZZ OF THE INTERNATIONAL WAKEBOARD & WATERSKI WORLD CUP BEGAN TODAY IN MANDURAH

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Day one of the   Action Sports Games in Mandurah was welcomed by clear skies and warmer weather. The Women’s Jump and Shortboard (Tricks) Semi-Finals opened the action, followed by the Men’s Shortboard Semis.

French and American athletes dominated the waters and with such great excitement and talent on display today, the weekend ahead will be full of action.

The Women’s Jump kicked off the first day, with Australian waterskiier Jacinta Carroll taking out first place.

Third placed Alex Lauretano is confident she can win the Women’s Jump Final on Sunday despite a knee injury in 2012 that left her unable to train for three months.

“Today I performed better than I did at Moomba in Melbourne last weekend which was my first tournament back since I torn my MCL last year, so I’m really looking forward to Sunday and think I can come out with a great result,” she said.

The Women’s Tricks Semi-Final was fiercely competitive with 19 year-old Erika Lang (USA) finishing in first place despite finding the weather conditions hard.

“I am used to perfect water conditions back home as I train on a lake, so I found the deep waves and heavy backwash really challenging,” said Lang.

Unlike most other waterskiiers, Lang doesn’t alter her moves depending on the conditions and will use the same routine going into the Finals on Sunday but aim to fit more tricks into the time frame.

Favourite to win, Clemetine Lucine, placed third in the Semis using an easy run to ensure she gained a place in the finals.

“I like to do an easier run in the Semis to secure a place in the finals and then on Sunday I‘ll go a lot faster and add in more tricks to gain lots of points in the final,” she said.

Lucine is due to ride second in the Finals on Sunday, a position she says is perfect.

“By going second I can put pressure on the other athletes who are performing after me and then hopefully win again, keeping my title as World Number One,” said Clementine.

The Men’s Tricks Semi-finals were taken out by Alexandre Poteau (FRA) who also found the water conditions challenging.

“The conditions were really hard because there were lots of waves and wind so hopefully they will improve by Sunday and then I can include a lot more tricks,” he said.

Practice resumed this afternoon with the athletes gearing up for the Wakeboarding Quarter and Semi-Finals tomorrow, which will be followed by all the Finals action on Sunday.

Five Time World Champion Raimi Merritt (USA) will show off her skills tomorrow morning followed by Harley Clifford (AUS) who will take on the tournament during the early afternoon.

The   Action Sports Games also coincides with the annual Channel Seven Crab Fest, adding more vibrancy and excitement to the City Of Mandurah.

Tourism Western Australia and the Department of Regional Development and Lands are proud to support the   Actions Sports Games Mandurah through the Royalties for Regions- Regional Events Program, which is administrated by Eventscorp.