UK, Dubai win 2 titles each at World Finals. [Cayman win World Title, too]
The United Kingdom and Dubai were the big winners on the final day of racing at the 34th annual IJSBA Hot Products World Finals, at Crazy Horse Beach, Sunday, grabbing two professional world titles each.
James Bushell, of Wisbech, Combs, U.K., took a pair of titles, edging out Thailand’s Chokuhit Molee to win the title in GP Runabout and then going on to win the title in Pro Runabout.
For Dubai, it was Saif Alfalasi winning the title in Junior Ski 13-15, and Steven Dauliach winning the world championship after three motos in Pro Ski.
The World Finals were truly international in flavor, with all but one world title going to non-American riders.
South Africa’s Dustin Motzouris won the title in GP Ski. And Brazil’s David Prado won the title in Junior Ski 10-12 in Moto 2, when Moto 1 winner Sofie Borgstroem, of Sweden, fell off her ski on Lap 3.
Thailand did get a world title on the day when Teera Settura won Pro-Am Runabout 800.
Pro freestyle was won by Slovenia’s Rok Florjancic, and Pro-Am Women Ski was won by Yuki Kurahashi, of Belgium, who just edged out the U.K.’s Anya Colley.
Charles Sims of Lake Elsinore, Calif., is the only professional American world champion, taking the title in Vintage Ski X2. And the Women Runabout champion is Kylie Ellmers, of New Zealand.
“All indicators are that this year is up on last year. And this event has grown the previous three years,” said promoter Jim Russell, president of DSM Events. “And in a sport that’s seen declining American interest, and in a down American economy, it’s the international interest that fueling the growth.”
Russell also praised the effort of the World Finals’ new title sponsor — Hot Products — for taking a hands-on approach to the event.
“The American president of Hot Products has even gone to visit every (injured) rider in the hospital this year. That kind of dedication and commitment is really something to see these days” Russell said.
For more on this story go to:
Vanjae “VJ” Ramgeet, Jordan “JJ” McLean and Gary “GJ” Whittaker and their World Finals, support group arrived back in Cayman on Monday (8) night after a very successful finals for Team Cayman at the IJSBA Hot Products World Finals.
Roshad Goff the Cayman Islands Watercraft Association Expert Class Champion won the coveted world title in his division to win 1st overall Title in the Amateur Stock Class and 4th place in the Pro Stock Division.
Last year’s World Champion Jordan “JJ” McLean rode in 2 classes at the World Finals Expert Limited & Pro-Am Limited – along with CIWA’s National Champion 1st Amateur Class, Javier Medina who rode in the Novice Limited, they placed in the top 10 in the world, however they were both unfortunate to have some mechanical failures and errors with their crafts which caused them their chance to make podium finishes at this year’s meets. However, the two riders still walked away with titles in the ranks of the top Ten riders worldwide.
Gary “GJ” Whittaker 2012 Jet Around Cayman Winner and CIWA National Championship Series 2012- Expert Class 2nd Place winner, finished with an impressive 4th Place finish in the Expert Limited division.
Vanjae “VJ” Ramgeet – CIWA’s National Championship Series – Novice Class 2012 – 2nd Place winner – Rode in 2 classes with very impressive performances in both classes, VJ finished 5th in the Novice Stock Class and 7th in the Amateur Stock Class.
About IJSBA
The International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) is the worldwide sanctioning body for personal watercraft competitive racing.
The IJSBA World Finals, held every year since 1982 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona U.S.A., is the true focal point on the international calendar. This is the most venerable and prestigious single personal watercraft event in the world. With an invitation-only policy attracting over 750 of the world’s best personal watercraft racers, the World Finals have been the cornerstone of IJSBA racing. Racers from around the world make the pilgrimage to Lake Havasu City every October for the opportunity to make their mark on the international stage. Long dominated by American riders because the sport was developed here, the “world” in World Finals is becoming more and more appropriate as the sport blossoms abroad. In 2009, competitors from 36 nations arrived to battle the American elite, with several international riders claiming the World Championship honors.
The increasing prominence of IJSBA affiliate organizations in other countries means a true “World Series” may not be far off. In the meantime, October success at Lake Havasu remains the crown jewel for the world’s personal watercraft racing elite.
For more information and full race results go to:
http://www.ijsba.com/ijsba/index.cfm
