Estelle Poret, Oliver Koch Hansen, François Medori, and Roberto Mariani claimed World Aquabike Championship titles at the Old Doha Port Grand Prix in Qatar on Saturday. Poret earned her first Ski Ladies GP1 world title, while Koch Hansen secured his maiden Ski GP1 crown. Medori clinched a third world Runabout GP1 title, finishing with a dramatic Moto 3 victory after series leader Jéremy Perez faced technical issues. Mariani triumphed in the Freestyle event, overcoming a late challenge from Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Mulla.
Poret’s Historic Ski Ladies GP1 Victory
Estelle Poret entered the final Moto with a 15-point lead over Jasmiin Ypraus in the Ski Ladies GP1 World Championship. Despite Benedicte Drange’s Moto 2 victory, fuel pump issues in Moto 1 had ruled her out of contention. Drange started on pole, but Jessica Chavanne grabbed the hole shot, leading the early laps, followed by Drange, Poret, Ypraus, and Naomi Benini. Drange quickly moved into the lead but fell off her bike, allowing Drange to extend her lead.
Poret held on to finish third in the final Moto, securing enough points to clinch her first world title. “I’m so happy after three years of injury. It’s not only me, it’s the people around me that made this happen,” she said, reflecting on her hard-earned success.
Koch Hansen’s Maiden Ski GP1 Title
Oliver Koch Hansen started the final Ski GP1 Moto with an 18-point lead over Jéremy Poret. Although his rivals pushed hard, Koch Hansen managed to stay focused and maintain his position. The race saw multiple incidents, including a red-flagged start and intense battles between riders, including former World Champion Quinten Bossche. Koch Hansen finished third in the final Moto, earning enough points to secure the world title.
Koch Hansen expressed his excitement: “It feels amazing. I had a good start. I knew the others would go all-in, but I had a lot to risk. Everything worked out this weekend.” Despite the challenges, the 22-year-old marked the culmination of his decade-long pursuit of the world title.
Medori’s Comeback for Third Runabout GP1 Title
François Medori had a narrow chance to win the Runabout GP1 title after a setback earlier in the season. With series leader Jéremy Perez forced to retire before the final Moto due to technical issues, Medori started at the back of the field. He rapidly moved up the rankings and finished third in the Moto, securing enough points for his third world title. Medori, who had faced mechanical troubles earlier in the competition, reflected on his perseverance: “It was really hard to start at the back. I passed a lot of riders. I win the Endurance and the European Championship. It’s been a fantastic season.”
Mariani Wins Freestyle World Title
In the Freestyle event, Roberto Mariani delivered a stunning performance, winning the world title despite intense competition from Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Mulla. Mariani’s routine earned him 223 points, securing the title. “I am really happy with this title,” Mariani said after the win. Al-Mulla’s exceptional backflip performance earned him the Grand Prix victory, but it was Mariani’s consistency throughout the competition that earned him the top honour.
Hawair Wins Runabout GP2 Asian Championship
Emirati Amer Hawair secured the inaugural Runabout GP2 Asian Continental Championship title with a strong performance in Qatar. Despite a penalty for his rival Khalid al-Maazmi, Hawair held on to finish third in the final Moto, ensuring his title win. “It was a tough race, but I kept focused and pushed until the end,” Hawair said. Saudi Arabia’s Daoud Kaloti triumphed in the final Moto, but it was Hawair who took the championship.
The 2023 World Aquabike Championship concluded with a thrilling set of races, showcasing remarkable talent and resilience across multiple categories.
