After nearly a decade, the UIM World Jet Sprint Championship made a thrilling return to New Zealand in 2025, bringing the world’s best jet sprint racers to the country’s most challenging waterways. The two-round championship, held in Wanaka and Whanganui, showcased heart-pounding action as competitors fought for supremacy in the Superboats, Group A, and the newly introduced LS Class.
Round One: Wanaka – Let the battle begin
Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Wanaka, the first round of the championship set the stage for a fiercely contested series. With the best teams from New Zealand, Australia, and beyond, every split second counted on the twisting, high-speed course.
Superboats – Mullan Sets the Bar
Australia’s Phonsy Mullan and Narelle Pellow-Djukic came out firing, setting blistering times in the early heats and proving why they are one of the most dominant jet sprint racers in recent history. However, New Zealand’s Sam Newdick and Shama Putaranui were hot on his heels, pushing Mullan and Pellow-Djukic to their limits in every session.
In a dramatic final run, Mullan and Pellow-Djukic edged out Newdick and Putaranui by mere fractions of a second, setting up a fierce rivalry for Round Two. New Zealanders Reuben Hoeksema and Suzi Katavich rounded out the top contenders.
Group A – Doyle’s stunning upset
The Group A category saw one of the biggest surprises of the championship when Australia’s Brendan Doyle and Holley Small outpaced reigning world champion Kiwis Ollie Silverton and Amanda Kittow. With flawless navigation and aggressive acceleration through the tightest corners, Doyle and Small took top honours, setting the tone for a tense rematch in Whanganui.
LS Class – A New Era Begins
The newly introduced LS Class brought a fresh wave of talent and innovation to the championship. The competition was fierce, with close battles throughout the day, but Australia’s Bastian and Tahleah Mullan emerged victorious, narrowly defeating American competitors River Rogers and Cole Keatts.
Round Two: Whanganui – The Decider
If Wanaka was about making a statement, Whanganui was about delivering under pressure. The tight and technical course at Shelter View Raceway in Whanganui added another layer of difficulty, ensuring that only the best would claim victory.
Superboats – Mullan holds off Newdick
Once again, the Superboat class was a battle between Australian’s Phonsy Mullan with Narelle Pellow-Djukic and Kiwi’s Sam Newdick with Shama Putaranui. With the championship on the line, Mullan and Pellow-Djukic came out aggressively, clocking the fastest times overall. And when it mattered most, Mullan delivered a masterclass in jet sprint racing, holding off Newdick by an unbelievable 0.06+ seconds. So close.
New Zealand’s Aaron Hoeksema and Suzi Katavich again put in a strong performance, securing a podium finish and cementing themselves as rising stars in the sport.
Group A – Silverton Strikes Back
After the shock of losing in Wanaka, Ollie Silverton and Amanda Kittow came into Whanganui with a point to prove. Determined to reclaim his title, Silverton delivered a flawless final run, beating Justin Roylance and Tracey Little who placed third in Wanaka, and taking the overall Group A championship. After coming first in Wanaka, Brendan Doyle and Holley Small slipped to third place.
LS Class – The Tightest Race of the Championship
The LS Class delivered another close race with the top three finishers separated by 2+ seconds. The LS Class racing in Whanganui mirrored the fierce competition in Wanaka, with places going to Bastian and Tahleah Mullan (Australia), River Rogers and Cole Keatts (United States), and Kyle Elphinstone and Jacob Bellamy (New Zealand).
Overall Points
In the Overall Points standings for the Superboats, Phonsy Mullan and Narelle Pellow-Djukic from Australia led the pack with 60 points. Close behind in second were Kiwi’s Sam Newdick and Shama Putaranui with 58 points, followed by Reuben Hoeksema and Suzi Katavich, also from New Zealand, in third place with 56 points.
In the Group A Boats category, New Zealand’s Ollie Silverton and Amanda Kittow secured the top spot with 59 points. Right on their heels were Australia’s Brendan Doyle and Holley Small with 58 points, while Justin Roylance and Tracey Little, also from Australia, claimed third place with 57 points. The points battle remained tight throughout, with teams swapping positions across both rounds, making for an exhilarating competition.
In the LS Class Boats, Bastian and Tahleah Mullan from Australia dominated with 60 points. The American duo of River Rogers and Cole Keatts secured second with 58 points, while Australian’s Kyle Elphinstone and Jacob Bellamy rounded out the podium in third with 56 points. The closest Kiwi team finished four points later.
Phonsy Mullan entered the competition as the reigning Superboat champion and successfully defended his title. He and Narelle Pellow-Djukic now stand among the first UIM World Champions of the year in the Unlimited Superboats Jet Sprint class. New Zealanders Sam Newdick and Shama Putaranui finished second in the world, while Reuben Hoeksema and Suzi Katavich secured third in the Superboat class at the 2025 UIM World Jetsprint Championship.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Ollie Silverton, who held the Group A crown before the event, managed to maintain his title in a closely contested 2025 championship.
The 2025 UIM World Jet Sprint Championship in New Zealand proved to be a thrilling spectacle, packed with fierce competition, breathtaking speed, and unforgettable moments. The battle for supremacy across all classes showcased the world’s top jet sprint racers pushing themselves to the limit. With Phonsy Mullan’s impressive Superboat victory, Ollie Silverton’s comeback in Group A, and the emergence of new talent in the LS Class, this championship has set a new benchmark for the sport. As the 2025 season draws to a close, the jet sprint community can look forward to even more intense racing in the years to come.
