THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 1996 TAG: 9605210162
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 149 lines
DOWN AT THE OCEANFRONT Saturday morning the shoreline was shrouded in fog.
Organizers of the Bud Jet Sports Tour, making their second stop on a 10-city tour, were understandably worried.
But official starter and Beach resident David Gaskins gave them the word so many locals have come to live by.
``If you don't like the weather in Virginia Beach, just wait a minute. It'll change,'' he told the out-of-town crew.
And sure enough, about 45 minutes after the scheduled starting time for Saturday's local and touring amateur portion of the weekend competition, the fog started to burn off and it was time to race.
``I was a little concerned at first,'' tour public relations man Tony Gardea said Sunday afternoon during the professional half of the event. ``But he was right. The sun came out, it was a beautiful day and it's even more fantastic today.''
It turned into a gorgeous weekend with bright sunshine, temperatures in the 90s and a cooling breeze coming off the water.
It was the kind of weekend that brings plenty of folks down to the sand.
``It doesn't get any better than this,'' Gardea said. ``Just look at this weather. We've got a good crowd . . . probably have about 8,000 people combined both days down here watching, and they're all appreciative of the way the people are riding.
``This is much, much better than last year. We were here in late July and it was about 110 with the heat index and nobody could really enjoy themselves. We got together with the city and moved the date, and I think everybody's glad we did.''
There was plenty of action for everybody.
The Bud Jet Sports Tour comes in on Thursday and puts together an elaborate beach sports setup equaled only by the annual East Coast Surfing Championship and the Bud Light Women's Pro Volleyball Tour (which won't be in town this year).
From the Rudee Inlet jetty north two blocks was pit row - a series of tents where riding teams set up shop to work on their crafts and relax between shows. Then there was the medical emergency tent, followed by the VIP area and then the scorers tower. Next in line was a long row of bleachers 20 rows high. Behind them were tents set up for vendors of everything from wet suits to personal watercraft to concessions.
``We have 11 18-wheelers, four fifth-wheel trucks and several vans,'' Gardea said. ``We set up (the beach) on Thursday, start putting up all the banners and set up the race course on Friday and at 8:30 a.m. Saturday we get ready to go racing.''
Unless the fog has rolled in.
The Bud Jet Sports Tour has several concerns beyond racing and pleasing the fans.
Nationwide, some personal watercraft riders have developed a reputation for radical activities, prompting considerable concern for safety - of both the riders and everyone around them.
With the tour, safety comes first.
Out in the water, there are four course marshals on jet boats. All are accomplished riders and most have training in water rescue and CPR and one is always an emergency medical technician.
Mark Sandoval of Miami raced competitively from 1981 to 1988 and joined the tour as a marshal four years ago.
``I started off traveling with the trucks to every stop, but I guess I've earned my keep and they fly me in now,'' said Sandoval, 39. ``It can get dangerous out there, and we have to have eyes in the back of our heads.
``I think my racing background helps, because I'm very familiar with how things go out there,'' he said.
If Sandoval and his people had needed to make a water rescue - like they did two years ago when a driver fell off his machine and was accidentally run over by another racer - they would have gone quickly to the beach where Scott Kalis and Fred Steele of the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad were waiting in their tent.
This weekend was calm for the two, and while they prefer to have something to do, they admitted that everybody is better off if they spend the weekend imitating the Maytag repair man.
``We've both been doing this about five years, and we do the other beach events,'' Steele said. ``There have been a few bad accidents, but it's mostly bruises and sprains. Sometimes a few fractures.''
There's always lots of sore muscles when the weekend is over.
While from the spectators' viewpoint it might seem like mere sporting fun, the competition out on the race course is physically demanding.
Just ask petite four-time world champion Christy Carlson of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
She even has husband Leon Wolek put here through physical training when she isn't practicing or racing.
``You really need to be in top shape physically,'' said Carlson, 25. ``By the end of the day, every part of your body is hurting.''
Carlson, who won her fourth world title two years ago, made it two-for-two in this year's tour and admits she's on a mission to regain her former status.
``It's hard to have tasted victory and then be beaten a couple of years,'' said Carlson, who teaches a Bible study class every Saturday night for the racers. ``I want it back so bad I can taste it. Yes, I want my title back.''
Carlson wasn't the rider enjoying the moment.
Chris Fischetti, 1991 world and last year's national champion, was ecstatic with his win in one class and second-place finish in another.
And the Lake Havasu resident found a pretty good use for his trophy bowl from the victory.
Fischetti - known on the circuit for cutting loose and having fun when the work is over - headed over to the VIP area and filled his bowl with an ice cold drink provided by Hoffman Beverage, the local distributor for tour sponsor Budweiser.
Passing the bowl around for teammates and fans, he said he had found a better use for the trophy than sticking it on the mantel.
``Won't collect any dust like this,'' he laughed. ``Keeps it nice and cold, too.''
Almost as fast as it had started, the weekend of racing was over and it was time to break everything down. As awards were presented, the course marshals were pulling the buoys that marked the track to shore.
Banners came down in the blink of an eye and bolts and pins were removed so that crews could break down the beach setup.
This was the seventh straight year the Bud Jet Sports Tour had come to Virginia Beach.
``Just a great, great time for everybody,'' Gardea said. ``The riders love it here, we get good support from the city and the spectators. This was good for us, good for the sport and good for the city.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Cover, Color photo]
JET SETTING
Photos, including color cover, by L. TODD SPENCER
Racers' teammates hold onto their jet skis until the official
starter gives the sign for the race to begin.
A member of the Chris Fischetti team is ecstatic that the racer
lived up to the motto on his T-shirt: ``In it to win.''
Photos by L. TODD SPENCER
A jet skier zooms down the course at the Oceanfront. Officials
estimate that about 8,000 spectators watched the riders speed by
during two-day event.
One rider does a daring flip in the freestyle event. Not to worry.
Standing by, out in the water, are four course marshals on jet
boats. Most have training in water rescue and CPR.
Catching the action from the surf is Kazuo Fukuchi, a photographer
for Jet Sport, a Japanese magazine. The Bud Jet Sports Tour always
draws international attention.
Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
A cameraman for ESPN, the cable sports network, films the race from
a forklift, high in the air. by CNB