Speedboat racing: Drivers' competitive spirit flares ahead of second-half grade review

*This content was translated by AI.

With June arriving, the waters at Misari are boiling with anticipation.

As the second-half grade review approaches, the competitive spirit among drivers is hotter than ever.

Speedboat racing divides the season into first and second halves to calculate driver grades (A1, A2, B1, B2), with race opportunities varying by grade. The number of races directly affects a driver's income.

Among drivers, the most intense competition comes from those on the verge of a grade change.

A prime example is Min Young-geon (Class 4, B2). Starting the season at the lowest grade, B2, he recorded three first-place finishes, eight second-place finishes, and four third-place finishes in 21 races, climbing to 23rd overall with an average score of 6.26 points. If he maintains his current momentum, an upgrade to A2 grade in the second half is entirely feasible.

Some drivers struggle due to false starts (flying). A single flying can significantly alter the course of an entire season, given its substantial impact on grade competition.

A representative case is Kim Jong-min (Class 2, B2). Known as a "legend of speedboat racing" for achieving the first 500 wins in the sport's history, Kim was relegated to B2 grade in the second half of last year due to a flying incident. This year, he recorded another flying during the 19th race, Day 2, 5th Gyeongju. Consequently, he is likely to remain in the lowest grade for the second half as well.

Multiple speedboat racing officials stated, "June is a sensitive time for drivers ahead of the grade review. While some drivers maintain focus, others make fatal mistakes due to impatience."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.