JET SKI - 2 TIMES WORLD CHAMPION !
MAG > riders
02.11.2009
Congratulations to the Fullgaz rider Ross Champion for his second Freeride Watercraft world title. Catchin'up with the "Champ" one week after conquered this second title in a row...
Hey Ross, how is this second title feels like ? Different than the first one ?
I'm very honored to have had the opportunity to win the title again this year. There are a lot of riders who have the ability to win on the tour and I am very fortunate that I was able to come out on top. The win last year was probably a little more exciting, just because it was very close all the way to the end. For me personally, winning this year kind of validates the win last year. At the same time though, if Pierre had been healthy in France, or if Federico had not hurt himself in that final, we might have had a very different result. I am very fortunate to have won this title again this year, but I still feel like Pierre is the best rider in the world...and that keeps me hungry.
How did the championship been go for you (step by step) ? Easier than last year ?
I don't think I could say that it has been easier than last year. But for sure the condition at the first two rounds were probably in my favor more so than some of the other riders. Jet Jump Extreme lived up to it's name this year, we had pretty big surf and it was a little messy. Blowsion Surf Slam presented by Worx was even bigger and more out of control than France, and the bigger it is, the better I tend to do competition wise. Brazil was as tough stop for me. Lenzi was on fire and there was no stopping him, but even still 5th is not the result I was looking for.
What do you think misses to freeride watercraft to be more recognised like other extreme sports like fmx ?
That is a very tough question and what ever the answer is, it is neither easy or simple.
One issue we have is that not too many people can relate to what we are doing. The pool of people who have been exposed to stand-up watercraft in relation to those that have ridden a motorcycle, or a bicycle, or skateboard, or snow skis is really small. Couple that with having an appreciation for the surf and what we do in the surf, and I think the amount of people who can really relate to or understand what we do is quite small. On top of that, our "show" is not all that portable. So it is much harder for us to get it to the public.
What do you think a world championship like ifwa needs to bring the discipline to the next level (crowd/sponsors/medias/riders/promotor) ?
I personally feel that for the tour to grow, someone needs to be able to figure out how to make some serious money out of either the series or Freeride in general. In my opinion, that is the only way to sustain and grow a series like this. And the sad fact is at this point, no one has figured out how to do that yet. The reason things like motorcycle racing are so big is because the manufactures need those series to sell motorcycles. James Steward and Christophe Pourcel are incredible, dedicated, hard working athletes and super stars, but those guys exist to sell motorcycles, motorcycle gear, and what ever other product wants to be associated with that lifestyle.
What do you think about the judging system ?
The IFWA has worked very hard on the judging system to get it where it is, and I think it is very good. Maybe with this system, some riders loose before they "should." So the top 5 or 10 riders in the series don't always end up in the top 5 or 10, but I think this system is the best for the show and the crowd. You have winners and losers in each round, and on the final day of competition, the crowd can follow the progress of the eventual winner through out the day.
Where would you like to have other rounds (countries) ? Why ?
I think Australia and Argentina would be great additions to the tour. I was in both of those countries for contests outside of the IFWA this year, and they both have great surf, great riders, and lots of excited fans.
What is your best memory this year ?
I have so many incredible memories from this year. One of the many memories I have from this past year that I will never forget is the incredibly warm reception Liz and I got down in Argentina. Those guys treated Liz and I better than family. I'm constantly blown away by the incredible opportunities I have had just because I have a moderate amount of skill on a jet ski, and that trip was no exception.
What is the Champ's future ?
My focus is going to have to change a little for 2010. The past few years have been by far the most incredible time of my life. I have had the opportunity to travel the world, and make great friends doing something that I truly love to do. And I can not imagine my life with out these people or experiences. But for 2010 I am going to have a very limited travel schedule, I am by no means stepping away from the sport or the IFWA but just refocusing on other parts of my life...
www.ross-champion.com
Hey Ross, how is this second title feels like ? Different than the first one ?
I'm very honored to have had the opportunity to win the title again this year. There are a lot of riders who have the ability to win on the tour and I am very fortunate that I was able to come out on top. The win last year was probably a little more exciting, just because it was very close all the way to the end. For me personally, winning this year kind of validates the win last year. At the same time though, if Pierre had been healthy in France, or if Federico had not hurt himself in that final, we might have had a very different result. I am very fortunate to have won this title again this year, but I still feel like Pierre is the best rider in the world...and that keeps me hungry.
How did the championship been go for you (step by step) ? Easier than last year ?
I don't think I could say that it has been easier than last year. But for sure the condition at the first two rounds were probably in my favor more so than some of the other riders. Jet Jump Extreme lived up to it's name this year, we had pretty big surf and it was a little messy. Blowsion Surf Slam presented by Worx was even bigger and more out of control than France, and the bigger it is, the better I tend to do competition wise. Brazil was as tough stop for me. Lenzi was on fire and there was no stopping him, but even still 5th is not the result I was looking for.
What do you think misses to freeride watercraft to be more recognised like other extreme sports like fmx ?
That is a very tough question and what ever the answer is, it is neither easy or simple.
One issue we have is that not too many people can relate to what we are doing. The pool of people who have been exposed to stand-up watercraft in relation to those that have ridden a motorcycle, or a bicycle, or skateboard, or snow skis is really small. Couple that with having an appreciation for the surf and what we do in the surf, and I think the amount of people who can really relate to or understand what we do is quite small. On top of that, our "show" is not all that portable. So it is much harder for us to get it to the public.
What do you think a world championship like ifwa needs to bring the discipline to the next level (crowd/sponsors/medias/riders/promotor) ?
I personally feel that for the tour to grow, someone needs to be able to figure out how to make some serious money out of either the series or Freeride in general. In my opinion, that is the only way to sustain and grow a series like this. And the sad fact is at this point, no one has figured out how to do that yet. The reason things like motorcycle racing are so big is because the manufactures need those series to sell motorcycles. James Steward and Christophe Pourcel are incredible, dedicated, hard working athletes and super stars, but those guys exist to sell motorcycles, motorcycle gear, and what ever other product wants to be associated with that lifestyle.
What do you think about the judging system ?
The IFWA has worked very hard on the judging system to get it where it is, and I think it is very good. Maybe with this system, some riders loose before they "should." So the top 5 or 10 riders in the series don't always end up in the top 5 or 10, but I think this system is the best for the show and the crowd. You have winners and losers in each round, and on the final day of competition, the crowd can follow the progress of the eventual winner through out the day.
Where would you like to have other rounds (countries) ? Why ?
I think Australia and Argentina would be great additions to the tour. I was in both of those countries for contests outside of the IFWA this year, and they both have great surf, great riders, and lots of excited fans.
What is your best memory this year ?
I have so many incredible memories from this year. One of the many memories I have from this past year that I will never forget is the incredibly warm reception Liz and I got down in Argentina. Those guys treated Liz and I better than family. I'm constantly blown away by the incredible opportunities I have had just because I have a moderate amount of skill on a jet ski, and that trip was no exception.
What is the Champ's future ?
My focus is going to have to change a little for 2010. The past few years have been by far the most incredible time of my life. I have had the opportunity to travel the world, and make great friends doing something that I truly love to do. And I can not imagine my life with out these people or experiences. But for 2010 I am going to have a very limited travel schedule, I am by no means stepping away from the sport or the IFWA but just refocusing on other parts of my life...
www.ross-champion.com