UAE Jet Ski Championships - James Bushell competes for 34th title

by Emma Slater on 20 Jan 2012 UAE International Jet Ski championships is organised by Dubai International Marine Club. The six-round competition involves teams from ten countries and over 70 competitors.

Whilst most Powerboat Racers are in training for the summer season or enjoying the off season with their boats and ski’s put firmly away for the winter, six times World Jet Ski Champion and the World’s ranked number one James Bushell is still hungry for more titles, in what some would describe as an already the perfect year for him.

Britain’s James Bushell (27) from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, has been racing Jet Ski’s for just over nine years now and has already racked up 33 titles including six World Championships and over 20 RYA British titles and is currently competing in Dubai at the UAE International Jet ski Championships for his 34th.

The UAE International Jet Ski championships since its launch have grown into a very strong international competition with participation from all of the regions of the globe and attracting the World’s very best Jet Ski racers.

The championship is run over six rounds, three in Abu Dhabi and three in Dubai. The Abu Dhabi course is set near the shores of the Abu Dhabi Breakwater allowing spectators to follow the thrilling races up close.

Following a perfect season in 2011 that saw James secure two British RYA titles, two European and the World IJSBA 2011 Pro-Am GP Runabout and Pro Runabout Open Championships the youngster just keeps going from strength to strength.

During the first round of competition in Dubai (12 Jan), a collision on the first lap saw James forced to return to the beach to check that his ski had no damage. Satisfied there were no problems James returned to the race but by this time he was right at the back of the fleet. But in what was probably the race of his career he steadily worked his way through the pack of 20 riders to take the chequered flag and the lead in the championship.

Next week (23 January) sees James make his way to Dubai for the second round of the UAE International Jet Ski championships where he is already leading the Pro Runabout Open Class and is also competing in the Pro Ski Open Class. Competing against the World’s top Jet Skiers and looking to continue his domination at the top of the sport, James will need to remain focused on the job ahead and rely on his skill and determination to take the title.

'Following the collision I had two options to continue to race where I was out front and potentially make any damage there could have been to my ski worse or return to the beach to check everything was ok. Luckily there was no damage unfortunately problems can occur but you can’t let them stop you, re-joining the race I was at the back of the pack not somewhere I like to be so that just made me even more determined to win and while it’s not a situation I want to be in again in a hurry the race was superb.' explained the World Champion

He continued 'I live to race and the highlight of my career has been securing the 2011 IJSBA World Pro Runabout Open Championship. It’s the title that everybody’s after and means you’re ranked number one in the World which means a lot. There will be many racers trying to take the title from me in 2012 so being able to compete out here in the UAE championships means I can remain on top form and hopefully add another trophy to my cabinet at the same time.' RYA website