“The boats, the engines, the noise, and the smells”: Excitement was building for commentators at the beginning of the UIM Jetsprint World Championships in Wānaka this past weekend (January 25-26). 

The Novus Glass Wānaka Aquatrack (near Luggate) was the stage for the final stage of round one of the event, which attracted the world’s top jetsprinters from New Zealand, Australia, the USA, and Canada.

This was the first year the event held three classes, which attracted 11 boats for Superboats, 15 for Group A, and 22 in LS Class).

Commentators said the field was the best they had seen for jetsprinting, and it promised to be “a dogfight”.

Practice runs and qualifiers took place on Saturday, and - despite some delays because of rain - finals on Sunday.

The Australian crew achieved “an epic sweep”, claiming the top spot in all three classes (Superboats, Group A, and LS Class) on Australia Day, the NZ Jetsprint Association said.

The next round of the UIM Jetsprint World Championships will be held in Whanganui this coming weekend (February 1-2).

Results:

Building King Superboats:

1st Phonsy Mullan and Narelle Pellow (AUS) 46.131

2nd Sam Newdick and Shama Putaranui (NZL) 46.180

3rd Reuben Hoeksema and Suzi Katovich (NZL) 47.635

Sprintec International Group A:

1st Brendan Doyle and Holley Small (AUS) 49.278

2nd Ollie Silverton and Amanda Kittow (NZL) 49.379

3rd Justin Roylance and Tracey Little (AUS) 50.268

MTW LS Class

1st Bastian Mullan and Tahleah Mullan (AUS) 48.538

2nd River Rogers and Cole Keatts (USA) 50.934

3rd Kyle Elphinstone and Jacob Ballamy (AUS) 51.155