Stephane Prayas of France wins Flyboard World C’ship

Doha: Frenchman Stephane Prayas won the Flyboard World Championship on the basis of highest technical level of performance at the Doha Bay on Saturday. Finishing second was Sweden’s Petter Berglund, while United States Trey Andrew stood third. More than 60 riders entered the Doha round of the World Series and then it was the first time that this unique event has been organised here. This sport has been introduced by French world jet ski champion Franky Zapata. In all 32 riders qualified for the second round, which was followed followed by last 16 and last eight stages. The final was contested by the top three performers. Thailand’s Srirang Sataporn finished fourth beating Emmanuel Jules of France in the quarter-finals. Only two Asian riders were able to find a place in the quarter-finals but Sataporn’s compatriot Chomsen Anon was beaten by American Andrews. Several local riders also took part in the event and it was only Fahad al-Harib, who made it into the last 16 before being beaten by Spain’s Lindsay McQueen.The flyboard is powered by jets of water that are generated by an aqua scooter and forced through a tube connected to a platform that the rider straps his feet into. The performer pilots the board by using his legs to alter the direction of the pressurised water jets, which allow him to perform a variety of aerial maneuvers, including flips, spins and a series of dives where he imitates a dolphin.