There’s a bit of a conundrum when it comes to international jet ski racing series. Most folks in the US just don’t seem to care. While the rest of the world might dismiss this fact, it bears noting that the United States of America is the single-largest market for PWC sales in the world. And within that market, Florida is understandably, the largest market within the US. So if you’re a promoter looking to access the largest quantity of spectators and riding talent, beginning in Florida is a safe move. That’s where the USJBSA was born (which later became the IJSBA). And it’s where P1 took its AquaX series.
Recently, UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship held its Grand Prix of Sharjah. For those unaware, UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) claims itself as the “world governing body” of PWC racing. They’ve gone so far as to petition, apply and finally be recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is a member of the Association of the IOC Recognized International Sports Federations (ARISF). Heck, the UIM has even signed a Cooperation Agreement with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to “further its range of environmental initiatives.”
If that means anything to you and you’re still reading this, Austrian Kevin Reiterer, one of the most talented and practiced professional ski racers on the globe, took home his second UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship, beating out a field of international racers whom most Americans have never heard of. Here’s the original press release:
Victory Team’s Kevin Reiterer was once again in a class of his own with a faultless performance in today’s final moto in Ski GP1 to win the Grand Prix of Sharjah and seal his second UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship.
Second place went to outgoing champion Quinten Bossche to end the year in third overall, with Raphael Maurin taking second overall in the Grand Prix and overall world championship standings, finishing in third, the final place on the Grand Prix podium going to Anders Keller.
