Belgian wakeboarders confirm at first World Cup Manche of the year

Ice cold wind on the official training day Friday, pouring rain on the first day of competition Saturday, but Sunday almost windless and sunshine to finish.

Both the 85 participants from 12 countries and the few hundred supporters must have known it. A water temperature of around 8 degrees Celsius and a wind chill that was even lower made for a true Cold Water Classic. Fortunately, there were warming scenes to be seen on and off the water. This was due to the participants and supporters cheering each other on and thanks to the exceptionally high level the riders displayed. After some runs, it was watching what the judges made of each heat and the differences were sometimes very minimal. In any case: the Belgian participants confirmed that they are able to compete at world level, because of the 7 series, 6 of them had compatriots on the highest scaffold.

In wakeskating junior men it was Elian Coosemans of Lakeside Paradise (3^e place), at the Open Men Louis Eggerickx of Lakeside Paradise (2^e), Laurent OP de Beeck (The Spider) was 3^e. As for wakeboarding: Jordy Neef of Lakeside Paradise was 3^e at the Masters, Lowa Vancutsem (The Spin) won handsomely at her first competition junior Ladies U18 2^e, Belgian Champion Pauline Appelmans of Lakeside Paradise confirmed with a 2^eplace in the open ladies, and Louis Eggerickx traditionally got to take the podium for a second time thanks to a 3^e place Final open men.

Both the Jury and the participants praised the perfect organisation and promised to be back next year.