After five years on the professional wakeboard tour, Jeff Heer is finally going to be able to enjoy some hometown hospitality.
The Richmondite will compete on his home turf against all the other top athletes when the Water Ski and Wakeboard World Cup debuts July 24 to 26 at Abbotsford's Albert Duck Park.
The stop is one of eight on the U.S. Pro Tour that makes up half of the 15 stops on the World Cup. This is the first time in the 15-year history of the U.S. Pro Tour that a stop has taken place outside the United States.
"I'm really stoked about the tour coming to Canada," said the 24-year-old Heer.
"It's my chance to shine right here in front of my family and friends."
A former Canadian national champion, Heer has been a consistent top-10 rider in his career. He's currently ranked number seven in the World Cup standings.
The Water Ski World Cup will be televised by ESPN, ESPN2 and Outdoor Life Network. It is estimated the World Cup will be available to more than 300 milion households worldwide, making it the largest series of televised events in water sports.
The Water Ski and Wakeboard World Cup includes three disciplines: distance jumping, slalom and wakeboarding.
WU WONDERFUL
Swimmer Walter Wu of Richmond won two gold medals and set another world record Monday at the world blind sports championships in Italy.
He won the 200-metre freestyle in 2:04.63, topping his own old previous world record of 2:07.28 set last season. He also won the 100 butterfly in 1:03.03.
Wu was a starred for Canada at the Atlanta Paralympics in 1996.
