The UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship is a powerboating sports competition. The UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship is the premier class of jetski racing, founded in 1992. Aquabike jetskis are personal watercraft vehicles purpose-built for racing and modified according to class. The UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship is organized and promoted by H2O Racing Ltd on behalf of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the governing body of powerboating and the exclusive entity recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). ABP refers to Aquabike Promotion.
Types of bikes Currently, there are two types of Aquabikes (jetskis); Ski and Runabout
Ski This term refers to an Aquabike designed to be stood upon and is powered by rear jet propulsion with a completely closed system. Skis, by definition, are the most demanding to ride as they require high fitness levels and great physical strength as well as agility in the legs and arms. According to the different degrees of modifications to the engine and bodywork, this type of Aquabike is used for three different categories: GP1, GP2 and Stock. Another category (GP3) also exists in which younger drivers, between the ages of 11 and 14, compete.
Ski bikes are also used in the Freestyle category however this requires further structural changes to the size and motor, allowing the Ski to become considerably shorter in length, lighter in weight and able to perform better at low engine speeds.
Ski bikes are currently used in three different disciplines of the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship: Closed Circuit, Parallel Slalom and Freestyle.
Runabout
Runabout refers to the largest and most powerful bikes in the Championship. Runabout bikes are designed for driving while seated and feature a saddle (located towards the front) and a rear jet or a completely closed propulsion system. Runabouts are the most common jetski in the world, as they can also be used for recreational purposes.
As with Ski bikes, Runabout bikes are used for three different racing categories: GP1, GP2 and Stock, according to the different degrees of modifications to the engine and bodywork. Another category (GP3) also exists in which younger drivers, between the ages of 11 and 14, compete.
Runabout bikes are used in five different disciplines of the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship: Closed Circuit, Offshore, Endurance, Jet Raid and Parallel Slalom.
Disciplines The UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship is divided into 5 categories:
Closed Circuit These races are held near coastlines. Regulations require that the path does not exceed 1300m in length. The circuit is marked out by different coloured buoys: yellow (right turn) and red (left turn). Riders are required to complete a set number of laps (varies according to racing division) at the end of which, the chequered flag is waved by marshals.
Offshore Offshore races take place at sea. These races are held across long distances and require serious consideration to be taken for refuelling as this is usually done on land. The circuit is bordered by large buoys (visible from long distances) or by natural landmarks like coastline, lighthouses, islands, rocks, etc .
Endurance Endurance races are held on long closed circuits. As endurance races are testing the long-term resistance of a rider and their bike, these races tend to last several hours and are more akin to a marathon as opposed to a sprint. Given the long duration of the race, supplies are required in advance to ensure everything runs smoothly. Runabout bikes are used in endurance races.
Jet Raid These races are spread over several stages. Riders are required to travel long distances marked by checkpoints to complete the race. These races are often very time consuming as riders cover one expanse of water, and reach the coast on the other side, where their bike then has to be transported by land to the next race stage.
Freestyle This category is more of a competition than a race. Riders are given a duration of three minutes to perform a rehearsed routine, one at a time. The stunts are evaluated by a team of five expert judges. The evaluation criteria are: quality, quantity and variety. The most common moves are Backflip, Barrel Roll, 360, Superman and Submarine.
Safety Safety and security is of paramount importance during all the races and tests. Each member of the rescue team present at all races is required to have a certificate proving their ability to rescue and transport personal watercraft and injured riders. The support of the firefighters and patrol boats is essential as they ensure the immediate action in case of more serious accidents. On the ground, there is a medical team specialised in traumatology who are able to accompany the riders to the closest hospital to the race site. In offshore racing, there is also a helicopter rescue service.
Results
Runabout GP1 SeasonChampionSecondThird2025 Francois Medori Jeremy Perez Gyorgy Kasza2024 Samuel Johansson Francois Medori Lino Araujo2023 François Medori Jérémy Perez Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq2022 Marcus Jorgensen François Medori Jérémy Perez2021 Jérémy Perez Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq Lino Araujo2020 Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq Marcus Jorgensen Jérémy Perez2019 Jérémy Perez Samuel Johansson Marcus Jorgensen2018 Jérémy Perez Lars Åkerblom James Bushell2017 Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq Lars Åkerblom James Bushell2016 Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq James Bushell Lars Åkerblom 2015 Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq Jean-Baptiste Botti Jérémy Perez 2014 Teddy Pons Jérémy Perez Lars Åkerblom 2013 Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq Cyrille Lemoine Jérémy Perez 2012 François Medori Cyrille Lemoine Lorenzo Benaglia 2011 Mattia Fracasso François Medori Cyrille Lemoine 2010 Cyrille Lemoine François Medori Teddy Pons 2009 Teddy Pons Lorenzo Benaglia Jordi Tomas 2008 Constantinos Malamanitis Laszlo Sumegi Andras Vagott 2007 Davy Vaitilingon Philippe Chastanet Jean-Philippe Dies 2006 Cyrille Lemoine Gimmi Bosio Jose Manuel Cruzado 2005 Steve Stievenart Christian Speciale Laszlo Sumegi 2004 Didier Navarro Mohamed Al Mansouri Rashid Al-Tayer 2003 Nadir bin Hendi Didier Navarro Lorenzo Benaglia 2002 Gimmi Bosio Cesare Vismara Nadir bin Hendi 2001 Gimmi Bosio Lorenzo Benaglia Didier Navarro 1999 Didier Navarro Cyrille Lemoine Gimmi Bosio 1997 David Selles Lorenzo Camplani Jose Casanova 1996 Joël Bontoux Jean-Luc Docquier Pierre Nataly
Ski GP1 SeasonChampionSecondThird 2025 Oliver Koch Hansen Jeremy Poret Toshi Ohara 2024 Quinten Bossche Kevin Reiterer Morgan Poret 2023 Mickaël Poret Oliver Koch Hansen Morgan Poret 2022 Valentin Dardillat Axel Courtois Morgan Poret 2021 Nacho Armillas Kevin Reiterer Andres Keller 2020 Stian Schjetlein Nacho Armillas Kevin Reiterer 2019 Kevin Reiterer Daniel Save Andersen Stian Schjetlein 2018 Kevin Reiterer Raphael Maurin Quinten Bossche 2017 Quinten Bossche Kevin Reiterer Mickaël Poret 2016 Jérémy Poret Kevin Reiterer Nacho Armillas 2015 Kevin Reiterer Jérémy Poret Nacho Armillas 2014 Jérémy Poret Chris MacClugage Tiago Sousa 2013 Mickaël Poret Tiago Sousa Alberto Monti 2012 Jérémy Poret Nacho Armillas Alberto Monti 2011 Jérémy Poret Christopher Courtois Jean-Baptiste Botti 2010 Mickaël Poret Jérémy Poret Christopher Courtois 2009 Steven Dauliach Franky Zapata Mickaël Poret 2008 Alberto Monti Bruce Lopez Matteo Gaddoni 2007 Slaven Ivančić Audrey Dujardin Louis-Nathan Lavocat 2006 Ludovic Caumont Didier Navarro Matteo Luzzatti 2005 Alberto Monti Kevin Laigle Gianfranco Oliveri 2004 Kevin Laigle Alberto Monti Didier Navarro 2003 Kevin Laigle Ryan Burt Didier Navarro 2002 David Selles Angelo Bertozzi Alberto Monti 2001 Alberto Monti Andrea Finchi Jerome Boyadjian
Ski Ladies SeasonChampionSecondThird 2025 Estelle Poret Jasmiin Üpraus Benedicte Drange 2024 Jasmiin Üpraus Jessica Chavanne Benedicte Drange 2023 Jessica Chavanne Jasmiin Üpraus Emma-Nellie Örtendahl 2022 Jasmiin Üpraus Jessica Chavanne Jonna Borgstrom 2021 Jonna Borgstrom Emma-Nellie Örtendahl Jasmiin Üpraus 2020 Jessica Chavanne Jasmiin Üpraus Estelle Poret 2019 Emma-Nellie Örtendahl Joanna Borgstrom Estelle Poret 2018 Krista Uzare Emma-Nellie Örtendahl Jasmin Üpraus 2017 Emma-Nellie Örtendahl Estelle Poret Krista Uzare 2016 Emma-Nellie Örtendahl Jennifer Ménard Beatriz Curtinhal 2015 Jennifer Ménard Emma-Nellie Örtendahl Beatriz Curtinhal 2014 Jennifer Ménard Estelle Poret Marta Sorrentino 2013 Pija Šumer Marta Sorrentino Jennifer Ménard 2012 Stefania Balzer Pija Šumer Julie Bulteau 2011 Julie Bulteau Stefania Balzer Pija Šumer 2010 Julie Bulteau Marta Sorrentino Stefania Balzer 2009 Julie Bulteau Patty Guttierez Paola Boggi 2007 Alessia Ida Audrey Dujardin Julie Bulteau 2006 Audrey Dujardin Alessia Ida Julie Bulteau 2005 Elisa Sabatino Tatiana Mercuriali Victoria Molyneaux
Freestyle SeasonChampionSecondThird 2025 Roberto Mariani Rashid Al Mulla Massimo Accumulo 2024 Rashid Al Mulla Roberto Mariani Paulo Nunes 2023 Roberto Mariani Rashid Al Mulla Paulo Nunes 2022 Rashid Al Mulla Roberto Mariani Alberto Camerlengo 2021 Rashid Al Mulla Roberto Mariani Paulo Nunes 2020 Rashid Al Mulla Roberto Mariani Jaroslav Tirner 2019 Rashid Al Mulla Roberto Mariani Sergey Chemezov 2018 Rashid Al Mulla Paulo Nunes Roberto Mariani 2017 Nac Florjančič Roberto Mariani Rashid Al Mulla 2016 Rok Florjančič Rashid Al Mulla Nac Florjančič 2015 Rok Florjančič Nac Florjančič Roberto Mariani 2014 Rok Florjančič Nac Florjančič Roberto Mariani 2013 Rok Florjančič Nac Florjančič Aleksandar Petrović 2012 Nac Florjančič Romain Stampers Rok Florjančič 2011 Valerio Calderoni Romain Stampers Roberto Mariani 2010 Ivan Potanin Valerio Calderoni Romain Stampers 2009 Valerio Calderoni Romain Stampers Roberto Mariani 2008 Lee Stone Valerio Calderoni Ekaterina Tolkonova 2007 Lee Stone Romain Stampers Valerio Calderoni 2006 Lee Stone Alessander Lenzi Romain Stampers 2005 Alessander Lenzi Romain Stampers Rosario Caruso 2004 Alessander Lenzi Romain Stampers Rob Bortolameolli 2003 Alessander Lenzi Marc Sickerling Romain Stampers 2002 Marc Sickerling Alessander Lenzi Federico Bufacchi 2001 Giampaolo Marcante Federico Bufacchi Sergio Marcolini 1999 Federico Bufacchi Kresimir Erderc Stéphane Prayas 1997 Marc Sickerling Stéphane Prayas Marco Scheel 1996 Marc Sickerling Stéphane Prayas Jeff Richichi
See also Motorboat racing Offshore powerboat racing
References
External links Aquabike World Championship ChampBoat Series UIM