Local bets rule waves in world wakeboarding

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign competition receded to the background as Filipinos surged up front to claim most of the honors in the 2009 WWA Wake Park World Championships held March 25-29 at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex.

Tynna Rosero, from Camaligan, Camarines Sur, captured the women’s wakeskate championship with a perfect 100 at the forefront of the Philippines’ mighty show in the event which drew 300 world-class wakeboarders from 25 countries.

Another Filipina, Joyce Recto from Naga City, copped first prize in the amateur women’s event for 18-30-year-olds.

Thousands of tourists and local fans came in droves to watch world-class competition hosted by Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte for the second consecutive year.

Gov. Villafuerte himself showed guts and style in the Veterans category for 40-above by finishing a fighting second. Another Filipino, Roberto Antonio of Naga, placed fourth. Markus Rommel of Germany topped the event.

Raffy Francisco of Makati and Dennis Divinagracia of Pili, Camarines Sur, placed third and fourth, respectively, in the Amateur Wakeskate. Januson Dy from Naga also made an impression with a fourth place finish in the Master Men.

Other Filipinos in the top six were Ricky Otilla (Pili), fourth in the Men’s 1; Bon Edison Quinto and Albert Lehman (Naga), fourth, fifth in the Men’s 2; and the governor’s son Julio Villafuerte, sixth in the Junior Men.

With Lago del Rey (King’s Lake) and the Winch Park as its latest additions to the watersports complex, curious and enthusiastic onlookers freely ogled and mingled with the hundreds of foreigners who came either to relax or participate in the five day- competition played in three categories – rail, boat and cable watersports events.

Shoppers also had fun circulating, with shops selling varied goods and services and food stalls catering to all kinds of taste preferences and thirst quenchers.

To ump the fun factor and max the entertainment value of the weeklong international tilt, a fireworks display lit the skies nightly while themed parties were held with celebrities and famed DJs as guests.

The riders from the US and Hungary came out the most bemedalled teams but the Philippines also made a respectable showing although it has much catching up to do with the more veteran and professional riders and skaters.