Start your engines for marathon series
Every four years the world jet boat marathon comes to New Zealand.
It’s the pinnacle of river racing globally and hosting is shared between the participating countries (NZ, USA, Canada and Mexico). This year it is being held in New Zealand and starts at noon today.
The age of gas turbine helicopter engines powering jet boats to speeds of 225kmh on New Zealand’s braided shingle rivers will surely be the ultimate test for the international competitors who are less familiar with rivers considered the holy grail of jet boat river racing.
Six turbine powered jet boats will take the start line with the fives times and current NZ1 champion John Derry’s knowledge of turbines and local rivers certainly making him the favourite.
In addition to strong local competition two Americans running turbines will be ones to watch.
Ryan Ringer has been here before and understands what it takes to compete against the Kiwis and while former world champion, Ryan Rogers hasn’t raced marathons in New Zealand, he did win the world series jetsprinting title in 1999 before shifting to marathon river racing.
The field of 45 boats is divided into four classes: SSS Engineering Unlimited – unrestricted turbo charged big block V8s and turbine engines, Hannam & Philp A Class – open choice of engine up to 470 cubic inches, Southern Bulk Fuels CX Class - formula engine class using a sealed 25hp Chev V8, Crediflex FX Class - entry level formula class using a smaller Chev V8.
Racing begins at the State Highway Bridge on the Waimakariri River north of Christchurch.
A criterium race will provide seeding order for the first of two legs on the Waimakariri the next day.
Over the course of the next week competitors will also race on the Waiau, Rakaia, Waitaki, Clutha, Matukituki and Dart, with the final day, a mass start in Queenstown Bay and a circuit race around Frankton Arm.
Of special note, Mexico brothers Diego and Gil Garcia, and from a long tradition of river racing, and campaigning in their first world event in New Zealand in a locally leased CX jet boat.
Most of the 45 boats entered are from all over New Zealand, including eight from Southland. Three boats from the United States and one from Mexico will also be lining up in the nine-day series.
The Southland competitors are Paul Cross, of Gore, Dwayne Terry, of Gore/Thailand, Steven Shearing, of Riverton, Roger Preston, Damien Pulley, Craig Plunkett and Ben Baxter, of Winton, and Craig Robinson, of Moa Flat.