Kawasaki Jet Ski® Ultra® 300X Bombards the Podium at the IJSBA World Finals

The IJSBA World Finals in Lake Havasu, Ariz.,
were the culmination of a great season for the Kawasaki Jet Ski® Ultra® 300X.
Fresh off winning a National Championship, Kawasaki’s Eric Francis won the
Pro-Am Stock Runabout World Championship and finished third in Pro-Am Runabout
Limited class on his stock Ultra 300X. Fellow Kawasaki rider Minoru Kanamori
finished third behind Francis in the Pro-Am Stock class while his wife Emi took
third in the Pro Am Women’s Limited Ski class. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Craig
Warner finished on the podium with third in GP Runabout and fourth in the Pro
Runabout Open class.



World Champion

 After capturing the National Championship in the
Pro-Am Stock Runabout class back in August, Francis was the American favorite
for the win at the World Finals. In a field made up of international
competitors, Francis wasn’t quite sure how he would stack up, but he was
confident in himself and his Kawasaki. He first took on the Pro-Am Runabout
Limited class where he finished third on his stock Ultra 300X against a field of
Limited machines. Excited about his finish, Francis went out and won his
qualifying race giving him a good pick for the motos. In Moto 1 he started on
the way outside and rounded the first corner within the top-five. Francis made
his way into fourth, but couldn’t find a way around the leaders. In the second
Moto it was all or nothing if he wanted to capture the championship. Francis
started in third and had to battle past fellow Kawasaki rider Kanamori. Forced
to make an aggressive pass, he was able to take over second and go after the
leader. Francis was closing the gap each lap until lap four when the leader’s
boat quit, handing over the win and the World Championship. 
 
 
“It was a real advantage to run the Pro-Am
Runabout Limited class first,” said Francis. “We were able to test some lines
and finishing third gave me tons of confidence going into the Stock class. It
came down to the second moto and it was ‘win or nothing’ if I wanted the
championship. I made an aggressive move for second, diving to the inside,
wide-open and almost clipped the buoy, but turned the boat on its side and made
the pass. I ended up finishing just close to a 15-second gap on the
  field.”



Fastest Couple on the Water
 
The Kanamoris are championship proven, each
holding multiple World Championships. Minoru’s experience played in his favor as
he battled up-front in the extremely competitive Pro-Am Stock Runabout class.
After placing fifth in the first moto, Minoru got off to a second place start
and began battling with hard-charging Francis. After dropping to third, he would
re-take second after the leader dropped out. His 5-2 score gave him third
overall and also contributed to Francis being able to clinch the championship
with his 4-1 moto score. Joining her husband Minoru with a podium position, Emi
took third overall in the Pro-Am Women’s Limited Ski class on her Kawasaki Jet
Ski 800 SX-R.



On the Podium
 
Warner spent the summer blowing away the competition in the offshore races and was excited to end the season at the World Finals in Lake Havasu. The Pro classes kicked off on Saturday with the GP
Runabout class where he rounded out the podium in third. On Sunday Warned back
up his strong performance with a fourth place in the Pro Runabout Open,
solidifying himself as a top competition in both offshore and close course
racing.



Besting the Claims
Although many manufacturers claim to have the
best boat straight out of the crate, the Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 300X silenced
all debates with their dominance at World Finals. In the Pro-Am Stock Runabout
class, three of the top-four boats were Kawasaki finishing first, third, and
fourth and showcasing the performance of the Ultra
300X.
 
“It was a huge statement for the Kawasaki Jet
Ski,” said Francis. “A lot of manufacturers had been pushing all year saying
they made the fastest stock boat in the world and we showed them it’s not true.
I’m really glad I was able to be part of
it.”

 Proof Nation
Kawasaki’s support does not stop at the track or
trail, they are always present on the water. Lining the beach front was the
Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green semi along with local dealers such as Arizona
Jet Ski providing parts for racers and showcasing the World Championship winning
Jet Ski Ultra 300X.



Results 
2012 IJSBA World Finals
 Crazy Horse Campground - Lake Havasu,Calif.Sept. 29 – Oct. 7, 2012


 


Pro-Am Stock Runabout Results

1.    
ERIC FRANCIS, WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.,
KAWASAKI


2.    
Mohamad Burabee, Kuwait, Sea Doo


3.    
MINORU KANAMORI, ROWLAND HEIGHTS, CALIF.,
KAWASAKI


4.    
ROSHAA GOFF, GRAND CAYMAN,
KAWASAKI


5.    
Khaled Burabee, Kuwait, Yamaha



GP
Runabout Results


1.     
James Bushell, United Kingdom, Sea Doo


2.    
Chokuthit Molee, Thailand, Sea Doo


3.    
CRAIG WARNER, WILDOMAR, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY
KAWASAKI


 


Pro-Am Women Limited Ski
Results


1.    
Yuki Kurahashi, Belgium, HYD


2.    
Anya Colley, United Kingdom,
HYD


3.    
EMI
  KANAMORI, ROWLAND HEIGHTS, CALIF., KAWASAKI