PWC – IJSBA Plans Significant Changes
Leading into the Dos Equis Desert XX World Finals, the International Jet Sports Boating Association planned to make a collection of significant changes to the event in an attempt to increase the action on the course — as well as spectator understanding.
The most notable change was planned for the closed course, which, while similar to the layout seen in 2003, sported new changes in the split-course section.
Most notable was the addition of additional straightaways directly following the split course section, an area the IJSBA reports is typically the most enthusiastically watched portion of each lap. Recognizing that a chasing rider will typically choose an opposite section of the split than the leader in a tight race, course designers elected to lengthen the straightaway to highlight the head-to-head matchup that often ensues as both riders converge in relatively close quarters. The hope is that the duel for the lead will be even more exciting than in the past, and that the placement of the straightaway right off the beach will not only bring the spectators closer to the action, but make it far easier to understand as well.
In a similar vein, the addition of differing color buoys in the splits also has been designed to minimize confusion for fans as well as racers. In the past, the standard red and yellow buoys used on the race course also were carried over into the split-course section of the track. IJSBA Race Director Yves Van Heers has opted for green and blue, however, in hopes that it will eliminate any confusion while navigating the splits. Van Heers has reportedly had great success with a similar design in Europe.
The other significant change to the standard program affects Pro Freestylers. Normally confined to flatwater moves on Havasu’s calm waters, freestylers will now be able to conclude their two-minute routines with a surf-style trick, thanks to the inclusion of several powerboats. Scheduled to run parallel to each other directly in front of the spectator area immediately following the rider’s normal routine, the converging wakes of these two boats will produce a formidable launch ramp and bring some high-flying wake action not normally seen at Havasu. Longtime Havasu fans may remember Jeff Kantz bringing in a powerboat to generate just such a wake back in the ‘90s. European spectators also got a taste of the high-flying possibilities during this year’s European Championships.
The World Finals was already underway as this issue of PSB went to press. Log on to watercraftnews.com for compete event coverage.
– Jeff Hemmel
