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Water Skiing: Indonesia rules the waves at Jakabaring Lake

Indonesian skiers ripped through the course at Jakabaring Lake to secure four golds at the SEA Games’ water skiing competition, held at Jakabaring Sports Complex in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Thursday

Irawaty Wardany (The Jakarta Post)
Palembang
Fri, November 18, 2011

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Water Skiing: Indonesia rules the waves at Jakabaring Lake

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ndonesian skiers ripped through the course at Jakabaring Lake to secure four golds at the SEA Games’ water skiing competition, held at Jakabaring Sports Complex in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Thursday.

Veteran competitor Fath Daud Wangka won the men’s open slalom skiing event, while his compatriot Febriandi Andri Muhamad prevailed in the men’s trick skiing event.

Indonesia later sealed its domination in the ski jump event after Endhar Pupul Giritya made the highest jump of 30.6 meters to win gold in the women’s event, while Muhammad Zahidi Putu jumped by 40.8 meters to snatch gold in the men’s. Open slalom gold medalist Fath Daud Wangka said that he planned to retire from the sport after the Games.

“This will be my last SEA Games competition because I want to give opportunity to younger athletes,” said the 46-year-old after the competition.

However, he will still compete in Riau at the 18th National Sports Games, which will be held in the province next year.

The silver in the men’s slalom went to Malaysian skier Yoong Alexander, while the bronze went to Indonesian skier Indra Hardinata from Palembang.

Meanwhile, gold medalist Febriandi Andri Muhamad appeared emotional after defeating Norman Rahadi Hendana, who was a favorite for the men’s trick event.

“Norman has better skills than me in this trick event,” Andri said.

He added that his performance had been poor in the two weeks prior to the competition.

He said that he’d already practiced at the water ski venue in Jakabaring a month before the competition in order to familiarize himself with the surroundings.

“The most difficult obstacle was the strong wind, since there were only a few trees surrounding the lake,” he said.

He thanked the Indonesian people, the Indonesian Water Ski Association (PSASI) and his family for their support.

Like Daud, Andri also now plans to retire from the sport.

“This will be my first and last SEA Games, considering my age,” said the 36-year-old skier, whose highest achievement was claiming a gold medal at the 2008 National Games in Samarinda, East Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, women’s ski jump gold medalist Pupul said she had expected to win the gold.

“I actually made a higher record of 34.2 meters in the Malaysian Open tournament last month,” said Pupul.

The silver in this category went to skier Bayly Phillipa Yoong from Malaysia, while the bronze went to Indonesian skier Ostra Ligwina.

Men’s ski jump gold medalist Putu said he’d set a better record at the previous contest before the Games.

“I was convinced that I would win this event since my best was 46.3 meters, set during the Malaysian Open,” Putu said.

The silver medal in the category was taken by Alexander Yoong from Malaysia, while bronze went to Ade Hermana from Indonesia.

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