Wednesday, 14 August, VLADIVOSTOK (Russia): Thirty-one riders, 19-teams from seven countries lined-up on the shores of Russky Island in Vladivostok today at 13.00hrs (local) for heat 1 of the UIM-ABP Aquabike Rally Jet World Championship.

Twelve teams from Russia with a big local contingent will be looking to stave off the challengers from France, Finland, Guadeloupe, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Thailand.

A revision to the original course sees teams taking on four 55km laps of Russky Island and five heats over the next five days.

Tipped for success amongst the home riders are Yury Ryabko and Denis Belikov both riding Yamahas and Russian Champion Aleksei Chernukha on a Kawasaki.

Leading out the international challenge is multiple World Champion, Karujet winner and the hot race favourite Jean-Bruno Pastorello from France on a Kawasaki Ultra 300.

Mixing it up with the men are Olga Antoniuk who teams-up with Yulia Chernukha and Kate Ryabko partnering Anastasia Zinchenko. The sole international female rider is Oraphan Teerapatpanich from Thailand, racing with Ali Komsusu from Turkey.