| Category: | GP1 (Class Pro) |
| Country/Region: | World |
| Championships: | Runabout Ski Freestyle |
| Inaugural: | 1992 |
| Status: | Ongoing |
| Current Champions: | Runabout GP1, Freestyle, Ski GP1, Ski Ladies GP1
|
The UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship is a powerboating sports competition. The UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship is the premier class of jetski racing, founded in 1992. Aquabike jetskis are personal watercraft vehicles purpose-built for racing and modified according to class. The UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship is organized and promoted by H2O Racing Ltd on behalf of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the governing body of powerboating and the exclusive entity recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). ABP refers to Aquabike Promotion.[1]
Currently, there are two types of Aquabikes (jetskis); Ski and Runabout
This term refers to an Aquabike designed to be stood upon and is powered by rear jet propulsion with a completely closed system. Skis, by definition, are the most demanding to ride as they require high fitness levels and great physical strength as well as agility in the legs and arms. According to the different degrees of modifications to the engine and bodywork, this type of Aquabike is used for 3 different categories: GP1, GP2 and Stock. Another category (GP3) also exists in which younger drivers, between the ages of 11-14, compete.
Ski bikes are also used in the Freestyle category however this requires further structural changes to the size and motor, allowing the Ski to become considerably shorter in length, lighter in weight and able to perform better at low engine speeds.
Ski bikes are currently used in 3 different disciplines of the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship: Closed Circuit, Parallel Slalom and Freestyle.[2]
Runabout refers to the largest and most powerful bikes in the Championship. Runabout bikes are designed for driving while seated and feature a saddle (located towards the front) and a rear jet or a completely closed propulsion system. Runabouts are the most common jetski in the world, as they can also be used for recreational purposes.
As with Ski bikes, Runabout bikes are used for 3 different racing categories: GP1, GP2 and Stock, according to the different degrees of modifications to the engine and bodywork. Another category (GP3) also exists in which younger drivers, between the ages of 11-14, compete.
Runabout bikes are used in 5 different disciplines of the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship: Closed Circuit, Offshore, Endurance, Jet Raid and Parallel Slalom.[3]
The UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship is divided into 5 categories:
These races are held near coastlines. Regulations require that the path does not exceed 1300m in length. The circuit is marked out by different coloured buoys: yellow (right turn) and red (left turn). Riders are required to complete a set number of laps (varies according to racing division) at the end of which, the chequered flag is waved by marshals.[4]
Offshore races take place at sea. These races are held across long distances and require serious consideration to be taken for refuelling as this is usually done on land. The circuit is bordered by large buoys (visible from long distances) or by natural landmarks like coastline, lighthouses, islands, rocks, etc .[5]
Endurance races are held on long closed circuits. As endurance races are testing the long-term resistance of a rider and their bike, these races tend to last several hours and are more akin to a marathon as opposed to a sprint. Given the long duration of the race, supplies are required in advance to ensure everything runs smoothly. Runabout bikes are used in endurance races.[6]
These races are spread over several stages. Riders are required to travel long distances marked by checkpoints in order to complete the race. These races are often very time consuming as riders cover one expanse of water, and reach the coast on the other side, where their bike then has to be transported by land to the next race stage.[7]
This category is more of a competition than a race. Riders are given a duration of 3 minutes to perform a rehearsed routine, one at a time. The stunts are evaluated by a team of five expert judges. The evaluation criteria are: quality, quantity and variety. The most common moves are Backflip, Barrel Roll, 360, Superman and Submarine.[8]
Safety and security is of paramount importance during all the races and tests. Each member of the rescue team present at all races is required to have a certificate proving their ability to rescue and transport personal watercraft and injured riders. The support of the firefighters and patrol boats is essential as they ensure the immediate action in case of more serious accidents. On the ground, there is a medical team specialised in traumatology who are able to accompany the riders to the closest hospital to the race site. In offshore racing, there is also a helicopter rescue service.[9]
| Season | Champion | Second | Third | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |  Francois Medori | Jérémy Perez | Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq | |
| 2022 |  Marcus Jorgensen | Francois Medori | Jérémy Perez | |
| 2021 | Jérémy Perez | Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq | Lino Araujo | |
| 2020 | Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq | Marcus Jorgensen | Jérémy Perez | |
| 2019 | Jérémy Perez |  Samuel Johansson | Marcus Jorgensen | |
| 2018 | Jérémy Perez | Lars Åkerblom |  James Bushell | |
| 2017 | Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq | Lars Åkerblom | James Bushell | |
| 2016 | Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq | James Bushell | Lars Åkerblom | |
| 2015 | Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq | Jean-Baptiste Botti | Jérémy Perez | |
| 2014 | Teddy Pons | Jérémy Perez | Lars Åkerblom | |
| 2013 | Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq | Cyrille Lemoine | Jérémy Perez | |
| 2012 | François Medori | Cyrille Lemoine |  Lorenzo Benaglia | |
| 2011 | Mattia Fracasso | François Medori | Cyrille Lemoine | |
| 2010 | Cyrille Lemoine | François Medori | Teddy Pons | |
| 2009 | Teddy Pons | Lorenzo Benaglia |  Jordi Tomas | |
| 2008 | Constantinos Malamanitis | Laszlo Sumegi | Andras Vagott | |
| 2007 | Davy Vaitilingon | Philippe Chastanet | Jean-Philippe Dies | |
| 2006 | Cyrille Lemoine | Gimmi Bosio | Jose Manuel Cruzado | |
| 2005 |  Steve Stievenart | Christian Speciale | Laszlo Sumegi | |
| 2004 | Didier Navarro | Mohamed Al Mansouri | Rashid Al-Tayer | |
| 2003 | Nadir bin Hendi | Didier Navarro | Lorenzo Benaglia | |
| 2002 | Gimmi Bosio | Cesare Vismara | Nadir bin Hendi | |
| 2001 | Gimmi Bosio | Lorenzo Benaglia | Didier Navarro | |
| 1999 | Didier Navarro | Cyrille Lemoine | Gimmi Bosio | |
| 1997 | David Selles | Lorenzo Camplani | Jose Casanova | |
| 1996 | Joël Bontoux | Jean-Luc Docquier | Pierre Nataly |
| Season | Champion | Second | Third | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Mickaël Poret | Oliver Koch Hansen | Morgan Poret | |
| 2022 | Valentin Dardillat | Axel Courtois | Morgan Poret | |
| 2021 | Nacho Armillas | Kevin Reiterer | Andres Keller | |
| 2020 |  Stian Schjetlein | Nacho Armillas |  Kevin Reiterer | |
| 2019 | Kevin Reiterer | Daniel Save Andersen | Stian Schjetlein | |
| 2018 | Kevin Reiterer | Raphael Maurin |  Quinten Bossche | |
| 2017 | Quinten Bossche | Kevin Reiterer | Mickaël Poret | |
| 2016 | Jérémy Poret | Kevin Reiterer | Nacho Armillas | |
| 2015 | Kevin Reiterer | Jérémy Poret | Nacho Armillas | |
| 2014 | Jérémy Poret |  Chris MacClugage | Tiago Sousa | |
| 2013 | Mickaël Poret | Tiago Sousa | Alberto Monti | |
| 2012 | Jérémy Poret | Nacho Armillas | Alberto Monti | |
| 2011 | Jérémy Poret | Christopher Courtois | Jean-Baptiste Botti | |
| 2010 | Mickaël Poret | Jérémy Poret | Christopher Courtois | |
| 2009 | Steven Dauliach | Franky Zapata | Mickaël Poret | |
| 2008 | Alberto Monti | Bruce Lopez | Matteo Gaddoni | |
| 2007 | Slaven Ivančić | Audrey Dujardin | Louis-Nathan Lavocat | |
| 2006 | Ludovic Caumont | Didier Navarro | Matteo Luzzatti | |
| 2005 | Alberto Monti | Kevin Laigle | Gianfranco Oliveri | |
| 2004 | Kevin Laigle | Alberto Monti | Didier Navarro | |
| 2003 | Kevin Laigle | Ryan Burt | Didier Navarro | |
| 2002 | David Selles | Angelo Bertozzi | Alberto Monti | |
| 2001 | Alberto Monti | Andrea Finchi | Jerome Boyadjian |
| Season | Champion | Second | Third | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Jessica Chavanne |  Jasmiin Üpraus | Emma-Nellie Örtendahl | |
| 2022 | Jasmiin Üpraus | Jessica Chavanne | Jonna Borgstrom | |
| 2021 | Joanna Borgstrom | Emma-Nellie Örtendahl | Jasmiin Üpraus | |
| 2020 | Jessica Chavanne | Jasmiin Üpraus | Estelle Poret | |
| 2019 | Emma-Nellie Örtendahl | Joanna Borgstrom | Estelle Poret | |
| 2018 |  Krista Uzare | Emma-Nellie Örtendahl | Jasmin Üpraus | |
| 2017 | Emma-Nellie Örtendahl | Estelle Poret | Krista Uzare | |
| 2016 | Emma-Nellie Örtendahl | Jennifer Ménard | Beatriz Curtinhal | |
| 2015 | Jennifer Ménard | Emma-Nellie Örtendahl | Beatriz Curtinhal | |
| 2014 | Jennifer Ménard | Estelle Poret | Marta Sorrentino | |
| 2013 |  Pija Šumer | Marta Sorrentino | Jennifer Ménard | |
| 2012 | Stefania Balzer | Pija Šumer | Julie Bulteau | |
| 2011 | Julie Bulteau | Stefania Balzer | Pija Šumer | |
| 2010 | Julie Bulteau | Marta Sorrentino | Stefania Balzer | |
| 2009 | Julie Bulteau | Patty Guttierez | Paola Boggi | |
| 2007 | Alessia Ida | Audrey Dujardin | Julie Bulteau | |
| 2006 | Audrey Dujardin | Alessia Ida | Julie Bulteau | |
| 2005 | Elisa Sabatino | Tatiana Mercuriali | Victoria Molyneaux |
| Season | Champion | Second | Third | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Roberto Mariani | Rashid Al Mulla | Paulo Nunes | |
| 2022 | Rashid Al Mulla | Roberto Mariani | Alberto Camerlengo | |
| 2021 | Rashid Al Mulla | Roberto Mariani | Paulo Nunes | |
| 2020 | Rashid Al Mulla | Roberto Mariani |  Jaroslav Tirner | |
| 2019 | Rashid Al Mulla | Roberto Mariani |  Sergey Chemezov | |
| 2018 | Rashid Al Mulla | Paulo Nunes | Roberto Mariani | |
| 2017 | Nac Florjančič | Roberto Mariani | Rashid Al Mulla | |
| 2016 | Rok Florjančič | Rashid Al Mulla | Nac Florjančič | |
| 2015 | Rok Florjančič | Nac Florjančič | Roberto Mariani | |
| 2014 | Rok Florjančič | Nac Florjančič | Roberto Mariani | |
| 2013 | Rok Florjančič | Nac Florjančič |  Aleksandar Petrović | |
| 2012 | Nac Florjančič | Romain Stampers | Rok Florjančič | |
| 2011 | Valerio Calderoni | Romain Stampers | Roberto Mariani | |
| 2010 | Ivan Potanin | Valerio Calderoni | Romain Stampers | |
| 2009 | Valerio Calderoni | Romain Stampers | Roberto Mariani | |
| 2008 | Lee Stone | Valerio Calderoni | Ekaterina Tolkonova | |
| 2007 | Lee Stone | Romain Stampers | Valerio Calderoni | |
| 2006 | Lee Stone |  Alessander Lenzi | Romain Stampers | |
| 2005 | Alessander Lenzi | Romain Stampers | Rosario Caruso | |
| 2004 | Alessander Lenzi | Romain Stampers | Rob Bortolameolli | |
| 2003 | Alessander Lenzi | Marc Sickerling | Romain Stampers | |
| 2002 | Marc Sickerling | Alessander Lenzi | Federico Bufacchi | |
| 2001 | Giampaolo Marcante | Federico Bufacchi | Sergio Marcolini | |
| 1999 | Federico Bufacchi | Kresimir Erderc | Stéphane Prayas | |
| 1997 | Marc Sickerling | Stéphane Prayas | Marco Scheel | |
| 1996 | Marc Sickerling | Stéphane Prayas | Jeff Richichi |
See main article: world championships.