Eric Francis rode a Yamaha WaveRunner FX SVHO to a clean sweep of the inaugural three-day P1 AquaX Bahamas World Championship on November 10 on Nassau Harbour, Bahamas. It was a dominating weekend for Yamaha racers. Reigning IJSBA Pro Stock World Champion Brian Baldwin placed second on a Yamaha GP1800R, while third place went to veteran racer Chris MacClugage on a Yamaha FX SVHO. The top-14 racers were riding either a Yamaha FX SVHO or GP1800R rider.
In the opening Pro Enduro race of the day, Yamaha Motor France rider Thomas Favolini took the holeshot and looked to be set for victory until a mechanical problem, his second of the championship, ruined his chances. This left the door open for Eric “The Eagle” Francis to edge out Broward Motorsport teammate MacClugage and Yamaha Riva rider Baldwin.
In the final Pro Enduro race of the day, knowing that a top-four finish would secure the title, Francis followed the leader Eric Lagopoulos for the majority of the race before overtaking him to take the checked flag and be officially crowd 2019 AquaX World Champion. Baldwin and MacClugage took second and third places, finishing on equal points but with Baldwin claiming runner-up by virtue of his superior finish in the last race.
“My aim here in the Bahamas was to take the World Title and so regain my number one world ranking,” Francis told reporters. “I have enjoyed a double celebration today with it being my wedding anniversary and my wife Sophie racing with me here.”
English rider Simon Gill broke the American stranglehold on the Pro Sprint class, taking top spot on the podium. The Floridian rider Johnny Smith took second place with UK rider Mollie Fearn in third.
