Kiwi Sam Harvey world champion on Sea-Doo

3:35 AM Wed 11 Nov 2009 GMT

'Kiwi Sam Harvey celebrates winning the Pro Runabout Open in the 2009 IJSBA world finals' IJSBA IJSBA

Aucklander Sam Harvey has won a world title in the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) world finals in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Riding a Sea-Doo? personal watercraft (PWC), Harvey took out the Pro Runabout Open. The Howick-based marine retailer has been competing at the prestigious IJSBA world finals every year for the past nine years, so to win on his tenth attempt was particularly satisfying for the New Zealander.

Harvey says the competition is especially intense in his class.

'More than 50 competitors from around the world apply to race so you have to get through the qualifying heats to be one of the 20 in the two-part finals. I was second in the first qualifying heat behind the factory-backed two-time defending world champ American Craig Warner, and then I was second to Craig again in the first race,' says Harvey.

'In the second race, I got the lead, but took a corner too wide which allowed Craig to pass me to head the pack.'

Harvey continued to apply pressure to Warner until Warner's Kawasaki suffered engine problems.

'This allowed me to regain the lead and win the race. With the highest total of points from both races, the world title was mine!'

Sea-Doo rider and Kiwi Sam Harvey is the first non-American to win the IJSBA Pro Runabout world final - IJSBA IJSBA

win signifies the first time this title has been won by a non-American and a rider not backed by one of the major PWC manufacturers.

Harvey's PWC is a modified Sea-Doo GTI. 'The basic entry level Sea-Doo, but now it produces over 400 horsepower and has a top speed of over 85 mph. Our team is small - me, my father Peter and an Australian mechanic-engineer. Racing PWCs is my passion and winning was the best feeling. To see the crowd celebrating, especially all the Kiwis there, made me feel proud. Without my father, I wouldn't be here and this is for him more than anyone.'

Another Sea-Doo competitor, Australian Anthony Antees was second to Harvey.

'Everyone at BRP Sea-Doo is absolutely delighted for Sam, and his father Peter,' says BRP Sea-Doo New Zealand manager Richard Shaw. 'Sam and Peter run Woodbine Marine in East Tamaki, one of our accredited Sea-Doo dealers. They do a fantastic job for the Sea-Doo brand and it's particularly exciting to see them succeed at this world championship level. With a small team and masses of passion and talent, they deserve to feel very proud of their achievements among who are truly the best-of-the-best in professional jet-ski racing. Our hearty congratulations to Sam, Peter and their team.'

by Kate Gordon

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