With the top finishers in Pro Freestyle being disqualified the IJSBA and the APBA will have a lot to work on for the upcoming jetski racing season. It seems that the officials in charge need to take a more serious look at the rules and requirements for freestyle. It is very easy to see that the new boats make a huge difference and even the best athletes need an even playing field.
We first saw evidence of this in 2004 When protests were lodge against Pro freestyler Eric Malone. The IJSBA’s decision to allow the run to stand even though they were aware of violations led to a boycott the following season by many of the worlds top riders. They sent the wrong message and riders again rode watercraft that did not meet the requirements in 2008. Anyone who has ridden a full on freestyle jet ski knows that there is a huge difference between carbon fiber 1000cc boat and a stock jet ski. It is not that they should try to stop the introduction of new technology but there is a need for a fair playing field. Maybe the answer is two or three classes in freestyle this way more competitors can afford to compete. Think about it OEM freestyle will offer a different set of stunts and tricks while the full mod class can wow the crowd with big air and back flips. Maybe adding an OEM class would also help the manufactures to create new watercraft for the public which is now showing in interest in freestyle like never before.
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