April 1, 2008
Montalivet, FRA - The start of the 2008 International Freeride Watercraft Association (IFWA) Championship Tour is just around the corner, and the best freeriders on the planet are expected to be at the first event of the tour come mid-April.
Defending world champion Pierre Maixent will begin his quest for another title on his home turf in Montalivet, France on April 19-20, at the Jet Jump Extreme, which celebrates its 10th anniversary.
American Ross Champion—last year’s overall runner-up—plans to return to Europe, and will be joined by American rider Eddie Betancourt. Champion said he’s gunning for Maixent this year.
“My mindset is that I’m going to go there and I’m gonna hurt myself or I’m gonna win,” said Champion, of Oceanside, Calif. “That’s just it. I had a lot of fun last year getting it all figured out and I did better than I expected. But the only reason I’m going this year is to win.”
Champion will have some good competition between guys like France’s Gil Beurnier and Germany’s Marc Sickerling. Also returning for 2008 is Italian freerider Federico Bufacchi.
After the Jet Jump in France, the tour will continue on to Zarautz, Spain, the following weekend for the Spanish freeride on April 25-27. The famous surf spot in North Spain will feature amazing waves and lots of beautiful women.
Unfortunately, last year’s first-round event in Portugal was canceled due to lack of sponsorship, so the European leg of the tour has only two stops this year.
The freeriders will pick back up in Brazil on Sept. 5-7 for the 10th annual Jet Waves Championship and then hit California’s Pismo Beach on Oct. 19-20 for the Hydro-Turf Surf Slam.
For more information on the IFWA Tour, visit www.ifwa.com.br.
Reprinted with permission from Watercraft World.
