The 2024 World Jet Ski Championship officially kicks off at Thi Nai Lagoon, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh

At 10:30 this morning (March 23), the 2024 UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship officially kicked off at Thi Nai lagoon, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh.

Chính thức khởi tranh Giải đua mô tô nước thế giới 2024 tại đầm Thị Nại, Quy Nhơn, Bình Định

The organizers of the 2024 World Watersports Championship have decided to increase the length of the race from 1,500km to 1,800km. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

This is the first time Vietnam has organized a professional international racing tournament and Quy Nhon City is also honored to be the host for five consecutive years (2024-2028) of this Tournament.

The 2024 World Watersports Championship has 55 riders from 26 countries registered to compete in 4 categories. Of these, there are 20 Runabout GP1 riders, 21 Ski Division GP1 riders, 11 Ski Ladies GP1 riders and 3 Freestyle athletes. Aquabike Promotion is the race organizer.

After considering the weather, the Organizing Committee decided to increase the length of the race from 1,500km to 1,800km.

Aquabike Promotion has decided to organize a special Parallel Slalom competition, a special format that only takes place in a few Grand Prix. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

The World Jet Ski Championship will have three categories. First , Runabout GP1. This is one of the most popular and exciting jet ski racing categories in the world of jet ski sports. This category is for professional racers or those with many years of experience in this category.

Riders use two-seater jet skis, which can be driven standing or sitting, and can reach speeds of up to 170km/h. Athletes participate in the race, which lasts about 1,500m, passing 29 buoys.

The second is Ski Division GP1 and Ski Ladies GP1. This is a class for men and women, using single-seat jet skis, with a maximum speed of up to 130km/h. Each race is on average 1,300m long, with riders having to pass 27 buoys.

Third is Freestyle, a form of water sport performance in which riders perform complex moves and techniques on water using a jet ski.

Unlike traditional races, in Freestyle, racers are free to express their creativity and technique through jumps, spins, turns, water crossings and other risky moves. Racers are scored based on their execution, complexity, power and creativity.

In particular, Aquabike Promotion decided to organize a special Parallel Slalom competition, a special format that only takes place in a few Grand Prix.

The appeal of this format is the competition between the best riders in three categories in the qualifying round (Pole Position) including: Top 8 Runabout GP1, top 8 Ski Division GP1 and top 4 (or top 6) Ski Ladies GP1.

Accordingly, each category will be divided into pairs to be eliminated directly into the Semi-finals and Finals. The tracks are arranged in parallel, each pair starts at the same time and passes the same buoys.

The fastest racer who reaches the finish line first wins. This format requires racers to have the skills, speed and courage to create world-class chases right on the waves.

On March 23, the first motorcycle race will take place from 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., with the categories Ski Ladies GP1, Ski Division GP1, and Runabout GP1. From 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on the same day, the Parallel Slalom and Freestyle races will take place.

Racers assemble equipment before "going into battle". (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The weather seems to be in favor of the 2024 World Jet Ski Championship. After two days of heavy rain (March 20-21), the sun came out on March 22-23.

Mr. Raimondo di San Germano, CEO of Aquabike Promotion, was pleased to say that this is one of the stages with a beautiful race track, clear blue water, and excellent water surface and depth standards for the racers to show their talents.

However, French racer Mickael Poret expressed his determination: "Even if the weather in the coming days is rainy and windy, we still have to fight. Because this is the type of weather that aquabike racers love."

Source