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Welcome to the GOLDRIDGE HOTEL 2005 WORLD JET BOAT MARATHON

15th - 22nd October 2005 - South Island, New Zealand

NZJBRRA
Event Report
Mataura River leg 14

GOLDRIDGE HOTEL 2005 WORLD JET BOAT MARATHON

NZJBRRA, held its half yearly general meeting in Christchurch on Nov 20 th 2005. At the meeting a motion was passed that NZJBRRA should publish a statement detailing the incident, which lead to Leg 14 Mataura Downstream being cancelled, and the subsequent process, which occurred.

Firstly the Appeal Committee appointed by NZJBRRA to preside over an appeal from U888 against the decision of the protest committee ruled in favour of the protest committee so the appeal was lost and the decision of the protest committee was up held.

In short the objective of the protest and appeal was to have race control issue a DNF to boat A 638 which would have altered final standings in the event.

The outcome then is that all positions as contained and published on the NZJBRRA Website and JBNZ magazine are the official and final results

To clarify the actual sequence of events which lead to the cancelling of the race NZJBRRA reports as follows.

Approximately 10 mins into the fourth leg on the Mataura River, during the World Jet Boat marathon, boat A638 failed to negotiate a bend in the river, slid into some willow trees and fell back into the river sinking. The accident was a non-injury event with crew out of the boat safely almost immediately. Boats U105 and U888 continued on to race and finish the leg.

Meanwhile all other boats which had started were stopped and no further boats were started. Race control acting on advise received from officials, and taking into consideration safety and dwindling light, cancelled the leg.

The decision by race control was made in good faith and in their view in the best interests of the competitors safety and the sport in general. It triggered the process as detailed and reported on above.

NZJBRRA accepts the decision of the adjudicators as final. It also accepts there is a need to review the rules governing our sport and particularly this incident, with the view to providing race control with clear and precise direction for the future.

In closing NZJBRRA would like to thank all competitors and supporters for the patience and professionalism in dealing with the event, we urge everyone now to move on and support our sport and its competitors.

Ian Armstrong.
President
NZJBRRA.

Race Organisers Express thanks

On behalf of the Goldridge Hotel 2005 World Jet Boat Marathons Management committee, I would like to thank you all for your support and assistance in this event.

A special thank you to our main sponsors, Goldridge Hotel, Jetboat.com, Hirequip, Christchurch Helicopters, Outlaw Eagle Manufacturing, Mobil Fuel, More FM.

Our day sponsors Frankton Arm Tavern, Coasters Tavern, Shooters Bars, Queenstown Marine, Keeler Tyre Performance and McLeay Jewellers

I thank each and all of you for your commitment and involvement with the marathon.

We had our glitches coming up to and through the event, mainly with the discovery of the Didymo algae. I would like to thank both Eddie McKenzie and Jeff Donaldson for all the work that they ended up with, pre the marathon, and the fact that they managed to get the marathon to happen. Also John Derry (Fresh Choice) for sponsoring the Simply Green spray bottles, this was asked of you at the last minute and you supplied without hesitation, thank you.

To the Back up/safety boats, Paramedics, launching and retrieval, starters and finishers, the helicopter crews, thank you all. Your help during this week is always greatly appreciated.

The support of everyone and their understanding in what was required of them, sometimes at the shortest of notice, made the week of racing a challenge both for the officials and competitors.

The effort, officials and competitors put into the event helped make the week happen without too many hiccups. To all of you that worked quietly behind the scene, your time and commitment, in the build up to, during and after the Marathon, thank you.

Regards
Debbie Kelly
Race Secretary
Goldridge Hotel 2005 World Jet Boat Marathon

GOLDRIDGE HOTEL 2005 WORLD JET BOAT MARATHON

Final Results and Important Notice

Posted here on our site the final results.

NZJBRRA, would like to take the opportunity to express their sincere thanks to all who gave and made possible the 2005 World Championships.

Our thanks to all the sponsers, especially our principal sponser Goldridge Hotel without whom we simply could not hold an event of this calibre.

Special thanks to all the Canadian teams who came and added a true international dimension to the event, Paddy, Karey, Mike, Dale, Gord, Brian, Spencer and your teams you serve your nation well and can be proud of your achievements. In particular congratulations to Karey Crawford and Marty Evenson, a truely magnificent effort especially given this was your first NZ campaign.

There is no doubt the event will be remembered for many things by all of you. Six days and 14 legs later there emerged a group of 20 odd teams who survived everything the event threw at them and who can proudly say we did it and we went through clean, congratulations to you all. To the teams who rallied after taking a knock or two our congratulations and to those of you who could not see the event out, our commiserations, we know you will be back.

To all the people who made themselves available and in doing so made the event the success it was our special thanks, especially the organisers who against seemingly impossible odds fought quietly through the mire that was didymo and kept our hopes alive. The true measure of the success of the event is not about which individual gave or achieved or indeed how hard it was, it's all about what we all created and delivered for the richness of the sport and its future.

Yes there was controversy and yes with the wisdom of hindsight some things may have been handled differently. Due process has dealt with all of this and it is now laid to rest. Cherish the memories and start planning the next one.

NZJBRRA supported by all interested parties will work hard to close any gaps in proceedings to try and eliminate the frustrations we have seen this year.

In closing, to those of you now holding World and NZ titles, our heartiest congratulations, your efforts are captured in time. You got there, now you have to defend, keep looking over your shoulders there is plenty of passion and determination out there and our sport is alive and well.

Ian Armstrong,

President, and on behalf of the NZJBRRA.

(Aka, Kermit)

View required section of the 2005 World Marathon Programme online here.
Last update to Marathon Course: 12 October 2005.

1. NZJBRRA President Introduction

2. Entry Form

3. Organisers Information & Contact Details

4. Trophies

5. Recommended Accommodation

6. Marathon Course

7. Rules for this marathon

8. Check List

9. Indemnity Form

10.Entry List for the Marathon

11.Media Updates