Caughey retains world jetsprint crown

SEAN HENSHELWOOD

CHAMPIONS: Rangiora jet sprint driver Peter Caughey and navigator Karen Marshall.

Canterbury's Peter Caughey has retained his world jetsprint super boat crown after winning the weekend's second and final round at Melton, near Melbourne.

Putaruru driver Daryl Hutton made it a New Zealand one-two, taking the runners-up spot.

Caughey and navigator Karen Marshall Caughey made a slow start to the final round with navigational errors shortening two of his four runs in Saturday practise.

Caughey's run for a sixth title was made easier when closest rival, former V8 Supercar driver Nathan Pretty, failed to make it past the top-six cut-off because of engine problems.

"People say we make it look easy, but I can tell you right now it isn't," said Caughey, who also won the first round in New South Wales.

"We were rapt to be able to get the fastest time on the final run to give the fans something to cheer for."

Taupo's Reg Smith was the best-performed New Zealander in Group A, claiming second behind Australian Slade Stanley and navigator Vanessa Wright.

Results

Leading world jetsprint super boat championships points after the second and final round at Melton (NZ unless noted): Peter Caughey 80 points 1, Daryl Hutton 77 2, Nathan Pretty (Victoria) 76 3, Dean Finch (NSW) 73 4, Mick Carroll (South Australia) 70 5, Leighton Minnell67 6, Duncan Wilson 66 7, Jamie Welch (WA) 65 8, Tony Giustozzi 64 9, Pat Dillon 61 10.

International Group A: Slade Stanley (NSW) 80 points 1, Reg Smith 75 2, Brooke Dixon (Victoria) 75 3, Darek Sygidus (Victoria 75 4, Ted Sygidus (Victoria) 74 5, Shaun Dixon (Victoria) 69 6, Jake Garlick (Queensland) 68 7, Chris Farr (WA) 64 8, Greg Mercier (Victoria) 62 9 equal, Bevin Muir 62 9 equal.

- NZPA