Success for Jonny at the recent Wakeboard World Championships

The Northern contingent of the Irish wakeboard team members seated on the back of the MasterCraft towboat of the World Wakeboard Championships in Milan. From left to right is Lisburn man Jonny Crawford with David Coates, Sian Hurst and Paul Johnston.

THERE was success for Lisburn man Jonny Crawford at the recent International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) Wakeboard World Championships, which were held on Lago Idroscolo in Milan, Italy from July 13-18, when he finished second overall in his 'Masters' Division, whilst being part of the Irish team which finished seventh.

Forty countries entered over 250 competitors at the championships, which are held once every two years, and was the largest world wakeboard championship ever held. Jonny competed in the World Masters Division, for both individual and team ranking, as part of the Irish Wakeboard team, competing against some incredibly strong competition, where the team were hoping for a ranking of top 15.

The local man, who is the current Irish National Masters Champion, has subsequently been asked to join the team for the European and African Championships in South Africa, next February.
The team of eight representing Ireland included David Cotes and Paul Johnston from County Down and Sian Hurst from County Fermanagh, the Irish Ladies Champion, as well as four other wakeboaders from Dublin.

Jonny and Sian landed in 7th place in their divisions contributing heavily to the overall team score for Ireland also in 7th.

The Irish team had huge support from family members travelling with the team, whilst fans across Ireland kept up to date online. Competing in the championships was made possible with the support of local businesses Connect Telecom and MasterCraft Ireland as well as O'Neill clothing and wetsuits. Speaking from Milan, Jonny said: "This is a tremendous result on both an individual basis and for the team overall score. Our next step is to take on the Euro and African regional in February and we are definitely a force to be reckoned with.

"We are competing here at our own expense against teams with huge resources at their disposal and really giving them a run for their money.

"I would like to thank my sponsor's O'Neill, Connect Telecom and MasterCraft Ireland, without them I would not be here."

He added: "There is a great level of competition across all divisions, it really keeps you on your toes. Each competitor may be on the water on their own but the team really works together to keep each other focused and in the game.

"With possible inclusion for wakeboarding in the Olympics within the next ten years this is a very exciting time for the sport. We have an incredibly strong team presence here in Italy which is setting the standard for future riders and grounding the Irish reputation on a vibrant international competition scene." Jonny is the third generation of his family with a love of the water.

He said: "This is the third generation on the water for my family. It started with performance powerboating with my grandfather as a powerboat racer and my father as a barefoot waterskier so the desire to get behind the helm or at the end of the line was bred into me. My father entered the business in bringing the first MasterCraft boats into Ireland and I intend to continue this legacy and add to it by bringing cable to Ireland.

"These are exciting times on the Irish scene as there is a huge swathe of young riders about to mature and with the advent of cable wakeboard parks could really revolutionise the sport.
"These indications are that is a good time to get involved. I'm first in."

Ulster Star
22/07/2011