Friday, November 15: François Medori Crowned UIM-ABP World Aquabike Endurance Champion
François Medori secured the 2024 World Aquabike Endurance Championship after consistent performances at the Simalungun Cup on Lake Toba, Sumatra. Japan’s Isahei Hajime won the day’s Moto, with Medori second and Anthony Radetic third, completing a podium representing Europe, North America, and Asia.
Medori, also the European Endurance Champion, entered the final Moto with a 13-point lead. Despite challenging conditions and a strong field, his third-place finish secured his title, with Radetic and Hajime completing the World Endurance podium.
Simalungun Cup Moto Highlights
- Moto 1: Medori claimed victory over György Kasza and Hajime, extending his championship lead to 13 points.
- Moto 2: Kasza led much of the race but retired in the final minutes, allowing Hajime to win. Medori’s third-place finish secured his World Championship title.
Notable Moments
- Medori credited his team and family for his success, emphasizing the challenging weather and course.
- Kasza faced technical issues but showcased resilience, while Araújo and other competitors battled penalties and tough conditions.
Sunday, November 17: Runabout GP1 and Freestyle World Champions Crowned
Sweden’s Samuel Johansson secured the 2024 Runabout GP1 World Championship and the Grand Prix of Lake Toba win by defeating François Medori in the final Moto. Hungarian György Kasza was disqualified, allowing Lino Araújo to take third in the World Championship. Rashid Al-Mulla of Team Abu Dhabi reclaimed the Freestyle World Championship from Roberto Mariani with a stellar performance.
Tribute to Johan Johansson
A special tribute was made to Johan Johansson, who retires after years of dedicated support for the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship. His son Samuel became the 2024 Runabout GP1 World Champion the same day.
Ski Ladies GP1 and Ski Division GP1 Titles Decided
Estonia’s Jasmiin Ypraus secured the Ski Ladies GP1 World Championship with a second-place finish in Moto 3, while Jessica Chavanne won the Grand Prix. In Ski Division GP1, Belgian Quinten Bossche claimed his first World Championship title, finishing second in the final Moto, which was won by Austria’s Kevin Reiterer.
Parallel Slalom Results
The Parallel Slalom event entertained spectators in Pangururan. Jasmiin Ypraus secured the Ski Ladies GP1 World Championship by four points, despite Benedicte Drange taking the event win. Samuel Johansson triumphed in the Runabout GP1 category, securing the overall title on a tiebreak.
Photo by Simon Palfrader & Arek Rejs