Monday, 14 April: The first UIM-ABP World Rankings of 2014 sees riders from France, Portugal, Italy and Slovenia topping the standings, with over 215 riders from 22 countries currently classified in Runabout GP1, Men and Ladies Ski GP1 and Freestyle.
Qatar Grand Prix winner Cyrille Lemoine leads his French countryman Francois Medori by 174 points in Runabout, with Italy’s Mattia Fracasso in third.
Just five points separates the top two in Ski Men with Portugal’s Tiago Sousa edging Italian Alberto Monti with France’s Jeremy Poret, who leads the World Championship standings, in third. Italy’s Marta Sorrentino leads the Ladies division ahead of French duo Jennifer Menard and Estelle Poret.
In Freestyle defending World Champion Rok Florjancic, who competes on a Croatian license, is trailed by brother Nac and Qatar’s Sultan Al Kuwari.
The prestigious UIM-ABP World Rankings are based on all performances throughout the year, with points allocated for overall results achieved by riders in UIM sanctioned and recognised competition in World, Continental, National and Regional Championships and International Ordinary races.
The overall World Rankings are collated based on results supplied by the respective National Authorities and operates on a ‘weighted’ points basis relating to the specific Championship and the overall event not heat result, with 20% of the previous year’s points tally carried over.
The flagship UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship carries the highest number of points achievable with an overall win at an event earning 400 points, a Continental event 200 points, a National or International ordinary event 100 points and 50 points in a Regional event, with points awarded on a sliding scale to the 30th placed rider.