IJSBA Pre Summer Update And Recap Of South American Championships

Happy Mothers' Day to all of the mothers in the PWC Racing family. This update started going from outline to draft on the evening of May 11, which was Mothers' Day here in The States. We have a pretty cool announcement to make and thought we could make it Sunday night but we have a little more red tape to clear first. So, the announcement is probably going to come in the next update. Even though it took a week to decide to put it off, I didn't want to change the introductory section- I don't think we have ever sent out Mothers' Day wishes before so one is due- even if it is seven days from the date. Without somebody's mother, there wouldn't be and Personal Watercraft events- in fact, there wouldn't even be personal watercraft. There also wouldn't be anyone to organize events or anyone to compete in them if we didn't have moms (I know, dads are part of the equation, too, but, Fathers' Day is next month). So, we use this update's opening paragraph to salute all of the mothers who have supported us in our obsession with watercraft, cheered us on while we raced, helped us nurse our injuries, and generally made our world a better place. Some of you mom's are competitors, as well; to you, we give you a standing salute as you juggle parenting while laying your claim to the race course. Please share the following news with your friends and colleagues (and mom's) in the Personal Watercraft Racing Family.

Almost all major world tours started or finished.

The 2014 competition has begun. Most major tours in the world have started: The USA, Thai, Australian, and European Championships have all recently had their first rounds and we are awaiting news of second rounds. The Canadian tour is preparing to start as are some exciting new international competitions in several regions of the globe. Each year, the first round of these tours is almost always the most anticipated. Finding out who is ready to win, who isn't, who has bad luck, who got a break, and who came up with a new secret performance package of the year are all the questions for which we all anxiously await answers. Reiterer, Motzouris', Francis, Molee, Bushell, Aswar's, Dardillat, all are showing us that they all have the capabilities to take a title. Moore is preparing to show us he can retain one while Klippenstein is working to get back the one that got away. All of the old guard is bringing their "A Game," and they need to, as we have a Copenhaver that is charging for the top. Stay tuned for what will be a very exciting season around the globe.

Displacement updates. Some of you have sent in questions regarding clarifications on the displacements for some classes. We are listing them here in the event that more of you do not know the answers:

Vintage Ski is 550cc maximum displacement at World Finals. At regional races, the standard will be 550cc unless the class designates a specific Vintage Class (i.e. Vintage 650cc).

Vintage X2 is 850cc.

Ski Lites is 850cc, for a two stroke powered watercraft homologated in quantities above 500, just like Ski Stock. However, reaching 850cc may only be reached by the adhering to all of the restrictions and limitations in the Stock Class section of the Rule Book.

Any four stroke powered runabout, in any class, may use all of the available OEM cylinder space to bore unless that watercraft was homologated with an original displacement above 1,500cc. If the OEM displacement is above 1500cc then the maximum additional bore is 1mm on all cylinders. In the Hydrodrag series, it is erroneously believed that a larger bore is allowed and printing this allowance was an error by the drag coordinators. Hydrodrag competitors must be aware that the correct displacement will be enforced in 2015 unless voted otherwise in this year's rule change period. Overbores larger than 1mm are not permitted for Closed Course or Endurance Racing.

Ski Limited has the same maximum displacement of 850cc for a two stroke powered watercraft homologated in quantities above 500.

This concludes the list of displacement questions sent to us in any notable frequency since the start of the year.

Hydrospace sponsons update. There has been a great deal of confusion regarding the provision that was added to the Ski Class which allowed for a second set of sponsons or a single set of larger sponsons. When passed, this provision was allowed for Ski watercraft that were homologated in numbers of 500 or more. When the Hydrospace S4 was homologated, IJSBA had dropped the homologation number down to 200 for Ski watercraft. All Ski watercraft were originally required to be homologated in numbers of 500. This number was reduced to 200 prior to 2001. The minimum homologation number was increased to 500 shortly after 2006. Therefore, all Hydrospace S4 were homologated at a time when 500 was not a controlling number. Hydrospace eventually produced more than 500 units and would have homologated under that quantity if that was the controlling number. The question has been posed as to whether the Hydrospace S4 is entitled to the second set of sponsons/larger sponson provision. Some nations have interpreted this as that S4 were entitled and others have not. It is now resolved that each nation may treat the S4 as either entitled or not entitled to the additional sponson provision until 2015 when S4 will be uniformly entitled to add the sponsons or increase the sponson size. The provision will be allowed at the 2014 Jettribe World Finals. Polaris Octanes were similarly homologated under the controlling number of 200. However, IJSBA has not data that Octanes ever reached a production count of 500. Therefore, Polaris Octanes are not entitled to the additional sponson provision.

OEM Yamaha 760 head approved for Lites Class. Please read this section carefully. OEM 760 cylinders have long been allowed to be affixed to fixed to Stock Class legal Superjets in the Stock/Lites Class. Competitors have inquired about the legality of the accompanying OEM 760 head. After thoroughly researching precedent as well as homologation rules and parts listings, we can determine that the OEM 760 head is an applicable part to apply to a Stock/Lites class eligible Superjet. This provision comes from the fact that the 760 head was an OEM part on the RIUS Racing Superjet Model that was available in Europe. IJSBA would like to remind competitors that there is a horsepower restriction in the Lites Class. The Rius Racing Superjet was an OEM model using dealer installed pre-sale upgrades to various standard Superjet components. The OEM 760 head and cylinder does not exceed the 90 horsepower threshold of the Lites Class. However, installing any other engine components (ie Rius Racing Superjet/Pro-Tec exhaust) will automatically cause the Superjet to be ineligible for Lites class.

2014 IJSBA Competition Rule Book. The 2014 IJSBA Competition Rule Book should be posted this coming week. We accepted petitions relating rule change matters well into April and now have all of the wording and meanings resolved. Nothing fundamental is changed from the policies announced at the beginning of the year. We have tried to make an environment where we work with the requests of the public at large and want to continue to foster and environment. Perhaps because most people access the rules through the internet, people no longer feel the need for a finality because the printed medium is no longer as important. We REALLY cannot allow this happen again, if you have objections or issues with some rule changes that passed then you need to raise them in a timely manner. We wont stretch this out again. This will be the last year that Rule Books are printed as single year editions. Maybe it will soon be the case that the physical printing will soon be a thing of the past but we will print them for 2014 and in 2015 a two year editions.

Back protection ad nauseum. In 2012, IJSBA was petitioned to require back protection devices in Ski Classes. This request was successfully passed at voting and was implemented after a one year waiting period. Ski Class competitors are required to wear supplemental back protection beyond what a normal flotation device (and optional wetsuit or touring jacket) will provide. We have created a definition, in the IJSBA Rule Book, to control when there is any dispute between a competitor, and the race director, as to whether the competitor has an adequate supplemental protection device. IJSBA is happy to see that competitors are embracing this rule rather than figuring ways to obstruct it. IJSBA does not embrace any particular brand of protection device and No back protection device is going to totally prevent an injury from occurring when someone is directly struck from a fast moving watercraft. We simply ask that you take extra precautions to keep injuries down and riding time up.

Under the London Bridge show to return. IJSBA is pleased to announce that the Freestyle Show under the London Bridge is, again, planned for 2014. If you missed the show in 2013, you missed the rebirth of one of the most attended and highly enjoyed portions of the World Finals. The under the bridge Freestyle show is projected to begin at 6:00 PM On Saturday, October 11. More details will be available shortly, some of them very exciting.

Hall of Fame Inductees to be announced at next update. The window officially closes June 30. IJSBA has received an extraordinary amount of consistent nominations to the 2014 IJSBA Hall of Fame. We will begin contacting these nominees and are ensuring their acceptance and attendance. This year's inductee list will be based 100% off of public suggestions. The IJSBA Hall of Fame ceremony happens every even numbered year. This year's ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 11, at 8:00PM- approximately 30 minutes after the end of the Under The London Bridge Freestyle Show.

IJSBA restructure update. Two years ago, IJSBA first brought you the news that we were planning a restructure. IJSBA is planning to split between two divisions. The first division would handle United States Racing and organize the World Finals with an eventual goal of this being handled by a production based entity. The second division would be the sanctioning and governing division of IJSBA which would handle administration of the Competition Rule Book, manage homologation, maintain the intellectual property of IJSBA, and be a product of international oversight. IJSBA has been scouting potential locations for the first division office to have a permanent location in Lake Havasu City. IJSBA would cease being a California Based corporation and become an Arizona based corporation to have a stronger nexus to World Finals as well as operating in an environment frequently visited by persons likely to participate in the governing process. IJSBA plans to open this office after the completion of the 2014 Jettribe World Finals. We will announce the reopening of committees and other opportunities for public participation. We have done this before and have had poor participation. We hope that this location will provide a more inclusive environment and structure for more of you to get involved. Expected committees are Rules Committee, Safety Committee, Development Committee, Technical Committee, Hall of Fame Committee, and Junior Committee. In the past, committee participation has always been poor as most persons join a committee for the purposes of furthering one specific rule or agenda as opposed to participating in comprehensive guidance of overall policy management. We hope to attract thoughtful committee members who are capable of discourse and will be reliable to make meeting dates as well as deadlines for submissions. We will have more information on this as we progress through summer.

IJSBA to investigate and solicit resumes for Competition Manager position. IJSBA is preparing to launch the position of Competition Manager. The competition manager would oversee all aspects of global racing providing support services to various events where an independent race director or supervisor is needed. The competition manager answers competition related rule questions on behalf of IJSBA. The competition manager is responsible for assisting in the development of competition classes and preparing reports to the IJSBA Managing Director as well as the IJSBA Board of Directors. Potential applicants will be articulate individuals capable of preparing thorough written reports. Experience with race management will be required with a heavy preference on Personal Watercraft Racing experience. This position is currently being developed and will be an integral part of the restructure of IJSBA mentioned above. Please do not send a resume or job inquiry at this time. However, the public is encouraged to comment on what you would like to see in a Competition Manager as we investigate the needs and potential of such a position.

2013 and 2014 DVD. The 2013 Hot Products DVD will soon be available for release. This is the final year that a DVD will be produced which covers elements of the entire event. Beginning with the 2014 Jettribe World Finals DVD, the annual DVD will cover Pro Racing as well as highlights from the event. DVD will be available in a limited run collectors' edition only. DVD content, along with other segments and highlights will be available for download on various media sources.

Managing Director's Soap Box. Occasionally, I add a soap box section to mention a couple of things on my mind about the sport. This time, I am using it for personal purposes. Since the wrap of last year's primary season and the start of this year's season, a lot of milestones have been reached in the Frazier household. My father turned 80, my mother turned 70, and my daughter is graduating high school and preparing to enter university life. My family has always been very supportive of Personal Watercraft racing. They offered me financial and emotional support throughout my years as a competitor. During my time on the course, they also assisted a handful of other competitors and sponsored a regional event or two when the promoters had faced a couple of financial stumbling blocks. When I took the IJSBA Managing Director position, it meant change for the entire family. Time that I would normally dedicate to family matters was going to have to be shared with a demanding IJSBA workload. Plenty of weekend family events have had to include interruptions for phone calls and there have been a nearly uncountable amount of incidents where I had to find the nearest Starbucks to quickly draft and send out a support document on a Sunday afternoon. I know that most of you reading have similar support from your family and loved ones, but I just wanted to take a few moments to acknowledge mine for all they have done to facilitate the continued efforts of PWC Racing. The last couple of months the family has required a lot more my attention and I appreciate all of you who have been patient with me- things should be back to normal in June. So, for those of you who actually read this section, in its entirety, thank you for tolerating my moment of self-indulgence.

Recap of South American Championships. We will wrap the update with a recap of the 2014 IJSBA South American Championships. Please send any questions or comments regarding the rest of this update to info@ijsba.com.

In March 6th, of this year, something really awesome happened. The IJSBA Affiliate of Peru hosted another wonderful South American Championship. Peru started off the event with a traditional press conference held at one of the administrative floors at Lima's Estadio Nacional, the National Stadium of Peru. During this press conference, the heads of each participating nation's IJSBA Affiliate signed a treaty that arranged for more collaborative efforts in South America. Taking cues from the success of the IJSBA European Tour, the South American IJSBA Affiliates are focused on having their own international tour as well as increasing the size and prestige of their respective individual competition programs. A few strokes of a pen gave birth to the IJSBA South American Watercraft Confederation.

The enthusiasm of South America is well timed. The regions of Southern, and Central America, have experienced substantial economic growth in the last few years. PWC Racing strongholds such as Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru have had stellar leaps in their economies with further growth projected. Things are noticeably different in Peru since the last IJSBA field trip of three years ago. Construction has boomed with new high end buildings springing up everywhere. Newer cars now dominate the vehicles on the road, and the malls and restaurants are full of customers with cash in hand. This is the environment where more persons purchase personal watercraft and where more of those new personal watercraft owners find their way to the race course.

It is in this environment that Peruvian IJSBA Affiliate director, Anibal Aliaga, furthers his goal of a larger South American PWC contingent and strengthening Peru's success in the PWC Racing world. Aliaga arranged a two day competition in the beaches between Lima and the Asia Beach district of Peru. Asia Beach is an hour and a half, or so, from Lima. Competitors travel south and go through some desolate areas that a jaded competitor might never believe could lead to a venue suitable to host a South American Championship. However, as one travels through some of the canyons, you begin to see beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. In fact, Asia Beach is anchored by an outdoor mall called Sur Plaza Boulevard that contains numerous high end stores ranging from electronics to fashion. Also included at this plaza were Sea-Doo and Yamaha dealerships that look like they had been plucked out of Beverly Hills. Indeed, the location of the first portion of the competition was in Naploan Beach which is a mixture of traditional Latin American tourist beaches and opulent Mediterranean style beachfront mansions all in the same cove. Similarly, this cove consisted of mega yachts, owned by Peru's elite, anchored next to masses inflatables being enjoyed by regular laborer types who were there for a day of relaxation on the beach. This cove hosted a medium sized closed course track designed to hold eight to ten runabouts on a split start gate.

The closed course portion of the South American Championship was easily the most intense of the overall event. Competitors who have made the World Finals scene, like Kiko Chia, Antionio Claros and Paloma Noceda, were joined by a variety of regular regional competitors from countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Bolivia, and more. Kiko Chia would be the sole Peruvian to keep a closed course title- Masters' Runabout Open- in the host country as the international make up would, in fact, make the event a true South American Championship. The spotlight of the closed course racing was not on the nationality of the winning competitors, but, rather, the gender. A young female racer, from Columbia, named Andrea Dominguez, dominated the Novice Runabout Stock Class and was mobbed by reporters and spectators who immediately bestowed celebrity status upon her. Antonio Claros may have won the Pro Runabout Open category, as he did in Pro Runabout Stock, but Peru's Paloma Noceda was the stat of the event for leading the final moto of the class and holding on to the very last lap. She may as well have won the race because the same mass of bodies that had surrounded Dominguez had not yet had their fix of paying homage to the female empowerment of the event. Antonio Claros proudly took his win among cheers for Paloma. Sportsmanship and celebration of human accomplishment permeated the beach.

The endurance/offshore portion of the event was held in a resort area, closer to Asia Beach, called Bujama. The competitors did not get the literal safe harbor protections of the closed course competitors, the surf was pretty heavy. This portion of the event was separated between two disciplines- one that required navigational skills as well as a pure endurance component. Each of these classes were divided between a team category and a single rider category. In the Offshore division, Peru would keep a two more titles in the host country thanks to the navigational skills of Willy Gutierrez in the F1 class and the team of Javier Diaz and Rafael Davila in the F2 class. In the endurance portion of the event, Chile's Jonathon Perez would take home the F1 title with Bolivia's Antonio Claros splitting the team F2 title with Peru's Kiko Chia. The highlight of the event was an unidentified rider who charged a breaking wave, at full throttle, (probably trying to beat it from breaking) and launched at least 25 feet in the air. [The move was reminiscent of Chris MacClugage's airborne move at the 2003 IJSBA Motosurf Championship for those of you who saw it except the unnamed runabout competitor did not have as successful of a landing]. The flying runabout spectacle set the height bar which may or may not have been topped by the Freeride winner Jared Ajlouny (who somehow got the South American Border moved to below Canada… the same gerrymandering got an Australian in the Freeride as well).

The award ceremony was held at the poolside nightclub at Asia Beach's very posh Aquavit Hotel. Competitors celebrated, very attractive people danced to the latest club music, and people were hurled in the pool long after it shut down. The efforts of Anibal, Miguel Gonzales, the staff of the Federation Peruana De Motoacuaticas really did a great job of making this a wonderful event from start to finish and we cannot wait to see what comes next from the IJSBA South American Confederation.

JET SKI SOUTH-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP – Perú 2014

"SOUTH-AMERICAN WATERCRAFT CONFEDERATION CUP"

FINAL STANDINGS

CLOSED CIRCUIT (Friday, March 7th, Naplo Beach)

Novice-Stock Class

1st (17) Andrea Domínguez (Colombia)

2nd (19) Willy Talavera (Perú)

3rd (33) Luan Trindade (Brasil)

Expert-Open Class

1st ( 1) José Ignacio Medina (Chile)

2nd (13) Sergio Muñoz (Perú)

3rd (33) Rafael Dávila (Perú)