Amateur power for P1 AquaX
Event organizers want to see locals participate in races
The organizers of the P1 AquaX personal watercraft event coming to Chicago for a second year Sept. 9- 10 have a few goals.
“We’re hoping for increased participation, not only from our international riders and riders that are coming from around the U. S., but also locally in Chicago,” P1 AquaX managing director Azam Rangoonwala said. “The whole point of P1 AquaX is really that it’s to get new people into the sport, as well as to continue growing our pro circuit.”
The free event will be held at the 31st Street Harbor after being staged at Montrose Harbor and Foster Beach last year. The professional riders will reach speeds of up to 80 mph in races that last around 30 minutes and 17- 20 laps as they compete for points ahead of the AquaX World Championships in December. There also will be three amateur races and multiple 15- minute stand- up races.
“We want to create a platform where locals from Chicago who have personal watercrafts can see that, ‘ Hey, you know what, I can actually enter this race with my watercraft or I can go and buy a watercraft and enter into it,’ ” Rangoonwala said. “We’ve been telling people that you can get involved, you can race in our amateur circuit, which we plan to grow within the region.”
The course itself will be about 1.6 miles long and include left and right turns. Live commentary will be played to explain what’s happening during the races. The races begin with rolling starts, and the first three laps usually include a lot of jostling for position.
“As the race goes on, what’s great to see is the style of the riding, and you’ll see where the endurance comes in as some of the riders start lapping,” Rangoonwala said. “This whole 30 minutes is fun to watch in each race.”
The competition is scheduled to run from 11 a. m. to 3 p. m. each day. Rangoonwala recommended spectators arrive around 10 a. m. For information on event registration, rules, viewing options, parking and more, visit www. P1Chicago. com.
Red Stars get World champ
The Red Stars acquired midfielder Morgan Brian and conditional future considerations from the Houston Dash for Kristie Mewis and conditional future considerations. Brian, 24, was on the U. S. World Cup championship team in 2015 and played in every game of the tourney.
Follow me on Twitter @ BrianSandalow.