NEVER one to turn down a new challenge, 158’s very own multi world, European and national jetski champion, James Bushell is taking part in Britain’s new water sport, Aqua Cross (AquaX) – jetski racing at sea.

James has competed in two races so far this summer, taking on the boys in the Elite division aboard his sponsored Sea-Doo watercraft.

Racing on the ocean wave is a new experience for James and in his first season he’s chalked up two second places in the first two meetings of the five race series.

Powerboat P1 Management Ltd is the promoter of AquaX and the rights-holder for P1 SuperStock new event. The company has eight years’ experience in delivering more than 85 world championship races in 12 countries.

The AquaX Championship kicked off in Southampton in May where Russell Marmon from Christchurch, Hampshire, took first place on his Kawasaki Ultra 300X in both races.

However, in his first competitive races at sea, James briefly got ahead of Marmon in race two, only to see his lead disappear when conditions got significantly tougher.

Elite 300 Class results
1. Russell Marmon (Kawasaki Ultra 300X) 40 points; 2. James Bushell (Sea-Doo RXP-X 255 RS) 34pts; 3. Richard Cable (Kawasaki STXR) 28pts; 4. Nick Beer(Sea-Doo RXP) 26pts; 5. Ben Vine (Kawasaki Ultra 250) 24pts.

Round 2 of the series saw competitors travel to Jersey where James was determined to turn the tables on series leader Russell Marmon.

“Russell is very experienced at this type of racing but hopefully if the sea is flatter on race day I can close the gap and give him a good run for his money,” James told Powerboat P1 Management.

He added: “Racing on the sea is very new to me, so I’ll still be happy just to make the podium and have some fun.”

And make the podium he certainly did. Just as in the opening round, it was James that took the fight to Marmon.

Holding the lead for much of the race, James battled hard before a recovering Marmon got past the 158 rider and secured victory. Speaking after the meet, James was pleased with his performance. “It’s been a very good day for me as I’m much closer to Russell now and am really getting to grips with racing in the sea,” he said. “I led moto one for about 10 laps and was also not far behind him in the second race so know I have the pace to take him on.”

Elite 300 Class results
1. Russell Marmon, (Kawasaki Ultra 300X) 40 points; 2. James Bushell (Sea-Doo RXT-X 260 RS) 34 points; 3. Anya Colley (Sea-Doo RXT-X 260 AS). 4. Nick Beer (Sea-Doo RXP-X 255 RS). 5. Richard Cable (Kawasaki Ultra 300X).

This latest result means James currently lies in second place in the Elite 300 class on 68 points, 12 points behind Championship leader Russell Marmon on 80 points.
Next event takes place at Sutton Harbour, Plymouth on July 16 and 17. Watch this space for updates on James’ progress and don’t forget to send him some good luck messages. He’d love to hear from you.