Dozens of spectators lined Seven Mile Beach on Easter Monday, 18 April, to witness the return of Jet Around Cayman as jet ski riders raced around the island in a bid to claim bragging rights and a $15,000 prize.
The event, which had been absent for nine years, featured American rider Tory Snyder winning in a record time of one hour, six minutes and 16 seconds, beating the previous best time of 1:11.11, set in 2006 by Billy Ebanks.
Snyder, 19, was the only international rider in the race. He crossed the finish line just five seconds ahead of defending champion Gary ‘GJ’ Whittaker, who won the last time the race was held, in 2013.
“It feels great,” Snyder told the Cayman Compass after his race. “I want to make sure my name is at the top and this is the first step because this is one of the biggest endurance races of the year. So, I’m glad I got this one under my belt and I’m so grateful to… Cayman.”
Snyder, who won both the 2020 Pro Runabout GP IJSBA and 2020 Pro Runabout Endurance IJSBA, said the race around Cayman had a few hurdles, but it was manageable.
“It was really nasty from Stingray City to East End checkpoint; it was really, really rough and I have a lot to sea time from back home, but this was a little new with some big swells, but I was able to ride through it.”
He credited Whittaker and added a return to Cayman for next year’s competition is likely.
“I definitely want to come back, and I hope more Americans come too,” he said. “GJ can run with the top Americans, he can hang with the top riders in [the P1 division], and I’d love him to come and race with us. I couldn’t have done any of this without him and his family.”
Jet Around Cayman organisers have confirmed they plan to continue the event as an annual Easter tradition.
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