PWC registrations continue to climb
Info-Link’s April Bellwether Report, which examines retail registration data in selected key boating states, continues to show strength in most all boating categories, including the PWC market.
“April’s data shows an uptick in almost
all categories, regardless of whether we look at 3, 6, or 12-month moving averages” said Jesse Wells, director of Sales & Marketing at Info-Link. “This seems to be especially encouraging since even the PWC, stern, and ski boat markets have seen a lift in the April registrations.”
BRP Confident with PWC
While recent Sea-Doo PWC numbers may have looked oddly low, BRP officials say the reason lies in the decision to shift watercraft production and deliveries to the early part of fiscal 2005 to better match retail activities.
“Based on our product offering and our strong position in the market place, we look at fiscal year 2005 with confidence,” explained BRP President and CEO José Boisjoli. “We are aiming at generating more synergies and reducing our global operating expenses through our new consolidated operational structure. A closer relationship with our dealers, a more focused marketing strategy and the identification of new sources of supply combined with our innovative, state-of-the-art families of products, give us a strong footing going forward.”
AMATEURS TO TAKE ON PROS IN HAVASU
Long a topic of discussion over the course of the World Finals history as the Amateur champion is crowned one day before the pro event takes place, this year IJSBA officials have announced that the Amateur winner will indeed be able to take a crack at the pros during Sunday’s Pro Freestyle showdown.
“The top amateur freestyle competitor should be able to display his or her tricks in front of the weekend crowd,” said IJSBA Managing Director Biorn Tangeland. “Coming from the thrill of winning a world championship only a day earlier should help the competitor to step-it-up for the pro-level competition.”
Of course, the ultimate decision will be up to the Amateur winner, as electing to go pro for Sunday will leave them competing in the Pro class for all of 2005.
PROS SURFACE OVERSEAS
Kawasaki’s Chris MacClugage recently captured the Superstock Ski event during the Italian stop of the 2004 Corona Extra Euro Tour. Longtime rival Nicolas Rius finished sixth in Ski, but captured the Superstock Runabout title. Rius and MacClugage had previously finished 1-2 in the Ski class the month before in Spain, with Rius again taking the Runabout crown. Both riders currently are points leaders in the five-race series (Rius in Runabout and MacClugage in Ski), which concludes this September at Disneyland Paris. psb
