Watercross: Top PWC riders ready for 22nd Annual IJSBA World Finals

After five days of exciting personal watercraft racing in lower divisions, the world's finest racers are poised and ready for the featured Pro and Pro-Am classes during the final three days of the 22nd International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) World Finals being held through Sunday on Lake Havasu.

Featuring over 1,500 entries from nearly 40 U.S. States and over 30 nations, the IJSBA World Finals is the premier pwc racing extravaganza in the world. IJSBA World Championship titles are being presented in 23 closed-course racing classes as well as Pro Freestyle, Amateur Freestyle and Amateur 14-15 Freestyle. IJSBA National Championships were decided in 14 Novice and Master classes during the first three days of the event.

The event is again spotlighting the 2003 IJSBA national champions, the defending IJSBA world champions, as well as this year's European champions. Besides the USA, powerful teams include France, Brazil, Canada, Japan and Thailand.

A total of 20 former IJSBA Pro World Champions, who have combined for 34 titles, are entered.

Among the top athletes entered are the 2003 IJSBA Pro National Champions -- Chris MacClugage, Fullerton, Calif. (Pro Ski-Kawasaki), Dustin Farthing, Port Lucie, Fla. (Pro Runabout 1200-Kawasaki) and Eric Malone, Duncansville, Pa. (Pro Freestyle-Polaris).

Also in the spotlight are the returning 2002 IJSBA Pro and Pro-Am World Champions -- South Africa's Dustin Motzouris (Pro Ski-Kawasaki), MacClugage (Pro Runabout 1200-Kawasaki), Malone (Pro Freestyle-Polaris), Jayme Cheney, Mapleton, N.D. (Pro-Am Runabout 800 SS-Sea-Doo) and Victor Sheldon, Vista, Calif. (Pro-Am Ski Stock-Polaris).

MacCluggage, 29, originally from Naples, Fla., is the second winningest rider in IJSBA Pro racing history with 119 career wins. "The Mac Attack" has also earned seven IJSBA Pro World Championships and 11 IJSBA Pro National Championships in his illustrious career.

Besides MacCluggage, the other riders entered who are on the all-time IJSBA Pro top 10 win list are Farthing and Lake Havasu's own Chris Fischetti. Farthing, who has four IJSBA Pro World Championships, is tied at No. 8 with 56 wins, three more than the legendary Fischetti, who has two IJSBA Pro World Championships and is No. 10 on the IJSBA All-Time list.

Also at stake this weekend will be the IJSBA Nation's Cup, awarded to the country whose top riders record the best finishes in the world championship classes. The USA has won the last three years with Brazil finishing second. Kawasaki, Sea-Doo, Yamaha and Polaris will also be battling for manufacturer titles.

A veritable salute to personal watercraft and the youthful lifestyle it represents, the industry's biggest week includes several distinct championship events. Starting the week was the 2003 IJSBA Novice and Masters National Finals, Sunday through Tuesday, followed by the 2003 IJSBA Expert and Amateur World Finals Wednesday through Friday and concluding with the featured 2003 IJSBA Pro and Pro-Am World Finals this weekend.

The colorful Freestyle athletes will compete in the IJSBA Amateur Freestyle and IJSBA Amateur 14-15 Freestyle World Finals on Friday and the IJSBA Pro Freestyle qualifying will be on Saturday and the finals will be held at noon on Sunday.

The official event website at www.ijsba.com is providing real-time results, photos and updates along with LIVE broadcast of the public address dialogue through streaming audio on the site.

Individual daily General Admission tickets for the final weekend of the event are $10 for Friday, $15 on Saturday and $20 for Sunday. Pit passes are an additional $10 for Friday, $15 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday.

Special IJSBA Super Passes, which include both a general admission ticket and a pit pass will also be available at the gate. Three-day Super Passes will be $55, two-day Super Passes will be $50 and Sunday-only Super Passes will be $35.

Various discounts, with valid ID and good for up to two discounted tickets, are also available for AWA/IJSBA members, Military personnel, senior citizens (over 60) and residents of Lake Havasu City.

Sanctioned under rules of the IJSBA, of Foothill Ranch, Calif. and co-produced for the first time in association with Desert Steel Motorsports of Lake Havasu City, the IJSBA World Finals has returned to Lake Havasu for the 22nd consecutive year. It is being held in the shadow of the original London Bridge on the offshoot waters of the Colorado River.

The race site for the fifth consecutive year is at the purpose-built IJSBA Aqua Stadium on the grounds of the Crazy Horse RV Resort and Campgrounds in the popular water resort of Lake Havasu City.

After 21 years as an annual Lake Havasu happening, this year's IJSBA World Finals, once again centers around the world's finest PWC racing. Additionally, the festival will include an extensive food court, live music, fireworks, the Miss World Finals contest, Sea-Doo Bounty, Kawasaki 4-stroke mini motorcycle race and the Cycle News Celebrity Challenge mini motorcycle race. Also scheduled are a Karaoke night, KJJJ Country Night, Loco GoGo Battle of the Bands, Bud Oktoberfest, IJSBA Performance Alley industry exhibits, 2004 PWC demo rides and entertainment for the whole family.

The IJSBA and the Lake Havasu Tourism Bureau are in the fourth year of a current agreement to bring the internationally-televised event to Lake Havasu through 2003. Again producing the television show is Southern California's Impact Media. The first domestic telecast will be at 2 p.m. (PST), Nov. 9 on Speed Channel.

Desert Steel Motorsports is co-producing and promoting the massive event with a small army of nearly 300 staff and volunteers. While this is the first time DSM Events has completely co-produced the IJSBA World Finals, the group has provided specific goods and services nine years.

Started in 1994, DSM Events has produced 60 motorsports events during the past nine years, including 28 in Lake Havasu City.

Title Sponsor of the 2003 IJSBA World Finals is the Lake Havasu City Tourism Bureau.

Co-sponsors of this year's IJSBA World Finals are Kawasaki, Yamaha, Polaris and Sea-Doo. Associate Sponsors are Budweiser, Bud Light, and Beach House.

Special thanks from the IJSBA and DSM Events are extended to Personal Watercraft Illustrated, the May Agency, Cycle News, Loco GoGo Restaurant, Ramada Inn, Sun State Equipment, Rental Service Corporation, KJJJ (102.3 FM) and KNPR (9.80 AM).

Helping to commemorate the history of the IJSBA World Finals, Robert Whelan, Mayor of Lake Havasu City, has proclaimed the week of October 5-12, 2003 as "IJSBA World Finals Week" in Lake Havasu City.

"In recognition of the outstanding contributions made by this organization for the general betterment of Lake Havasu City, and extend our heartfelt congratulations to the IJSBA as they celebrate the 22nd anniversary of this event," the proclamation states.

For more information, please contact DSM Events at 928.855.2208 or visit www.dsmevents.com.

Also, check out the official website of the IJSBA World Finals at www.ijsba.com.