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Wānaka is the place to be for jet boat enthusiasts today, as the Novus Glass Aquatrack hosts the sixth and final round of the 2022-23 NZ Jetsprint Championship.
The event is situated next to Wānaka Airport and 26 teams will compete across four separate classes, all vying to claim the national jetsprint titles.
The event marks the end of the 2022-23 season.
For Napier rider John Verry, the first hurdle was simply getting his boat to the South Island, after the Cook Strait ferry booking was cancelled.
Currently No 1 in New Zealand in his class, Verry refused to let the misfortune ruin his chances of claiming another victory on race day.
"I’m very stubborn, eh.
"I went to Conroy’s furniture removal company next door to me and they freed up some space in a shipping container from Wellington to Christchurch."
Verry then flew to meet his boat in Christchurch, towing it to Wānaka with just one day to spare before the race gets under way.
The event runs today from 9am to 4.30pm.
A crowd of about 7000 is expected to attend.