Caymanian jet-ski riders tested their speed on the waters of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, for the 43rd annual IJSBA World Championship, where four of the five athletes placed in the top 10.
The event, held 7-13 Oct. and attracting over 500 of the world’s best personal watercraft racers, featured Cayman’s Nathan McLean, James Munroe Jr., Jordan ‘JJ’ McLean, Brandon Elliott and Joshua Watler – all sporting their 345 colours.
Nathan McLean produced a top performance, placing seventh out of 19 riders competing in the Novice Runabout Stock Class, with countryman Watler finishing 11th.
“Racing at the world finals this year was an all-around amazing experience,” McLean told the Compass. “I felt I had a good showing in a very packed and extremely competitive class.
“Competing amongst the best in the world has only intensified my desire to further hone my craft and return next year with the ultimate goal of bringing a world title home.”
For JJ McLean, one of the nation’s greatest riders, being back on the world stage for the first time in 11 years was the best it could have been, considering he used a jet ski he was unfamiliar with – a situation all the Cayman competitors faced.
“It’s a year of gratitude returning to the world finals and living the dream again,” JJ told the Compass.
He raced in the Pro-Am Runabout Limited Class, finishing sixth. He noted that he’s looking forward to preparing better for next year to improve his result.
In the Pro-Am Runabout Superstock Class, Elliott crossed the line in sixth place. Munroe concluded his racing with an eight-place finish in the Runabout Naturally Aspirated Class.
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