ABU DHABI // Germany celebrated a double world title in wakeboarding, winning both the men’s and women’s World Wakeboard Association (WWA) Wake Park World Championships.
Dominik Guehrs regained the men’s professional crown he won two years ago and Julia Rick retained both the women’s pro and features titles at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort on Saturday.
Guehrs, 25, taking part in WWA’s first event for the season overcame Australian Aaron Gunn for the title despite an hectic schedule this season on and off the wakeboard.
“Wakeboarding is also my full time job, and this year I have been quite busy with a lot of shooting and photography for my clients,” said the German who had to skip WWA’s events in Miami (2) and Houston.
“But despite the busy schedule, I also took time out to train ahead of the Abu Dhabi event, spending two weeks in Thailand. So yes, I was pretty well prepared for the challenge which is always tough when it comes to this level.
“Abu Dhabi is one of my favourite places and my fourth visit.
“I won on my first visit and glad to have won again. It couldn’t have been better for me this year after all the involvement in other work.”
The Americans Tim Fooshee and Chandler Powell finished third and fourth,.
Omeir Saeed, the lone flag bearer for the UAE, took a fifth place finish under the WWA’s new format introduced this year. “I made it to the semi-finals in the traditional cable and due to the WWA’s new system had to go head-to-head with Aaron Gunn, and he came out the better,” said Saeed.
“Under the new system instead of having two heats of four there are four heats of two. It brings eight contestants head-to-head and the winner of that round advances to the finals.”
Saeed, 18, was quite pleased with his efforts to reach the final round in the men’s pro competition.
“I have to attend classes from Sunday to Thursday and travel down to Abu Dhabi to train over the weekends,” said the second year pupil of the American University in Sharjah.
“But these guys with whom I have to compete are riding all year along and they are the best in the world.
“I wish I could compete in all the competitions all year around but because of the studies it’s hard for me. But hopefully the university will grant me more time to go for all the events.”
Rick, 22, retained her double crowns she won on her second visit to Abu Dhabi last year.
“This is my first WWA event this year but most of the time I participated in Europe and in the World Cup in Shanghai on the events organized by different associations,” said the third-year business administration graduate. “I won the women’s pro in the first year in Abu Dhabi in 2013 and won both titles last year. I am glad to retain them both this time. It was high level of riding and really cool to meet all the girls in a competition.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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