Local Jet Ski racer among the fastest on water
Cheney's Curtis Pitman hits the front stretch leading the field in Apple Pie Jamboree watercross racing action Saturday in Pateros.
Curtis Pitman of Cheney, center, stands on the awards podium with his first place plaque in the Ski GP Open class with Caleb Kile and Ethan Pedersen, who finished second and third, respectively, at the Apple Pie Jamboree in Pateros.
Curtis Pitman of Cheney flies off the start line first in the Ski Open GP class ahead of other racers including Elif Baydar (No. 85), who finished 16 in the World Finals last year.
PATEROS -- A Cheney man was the man to beat in the annual Apple Pie Jamboree watercross races Friday and Saturday, July 15-16.
Only nobody could beat him.
On a hot weekend on Columbia River, Curtis Pitman, an Eastern Washington University student who moved her from Lake Stevens, won three classes in rounds 4-5 of the Pacific Northwest watercross tour.
Watercross racing is like motocross, but is more difficult with the closed course's ever-changing water conditions.
In weekend results, Pitman took first place in Ski Open GP, Ski 2-Stroke Lights and Ski 2-Stroke (No AM Hull). He didn't lose a single moto.
Other Northeast Washington and North Idaho racers competing in the Apple Pie Jamboree include Olivia Harnack, Parker Lawrence, Chris Obuch, Chris Sbragia,Harley Thon and Tom Yamamoto.
Pitman sits atop the season points board for "Region 3" of the International Jet Sports Boating Association with only two rounds of racing left in the season. Region 3 includes Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
The final watercross race – the Lake Osoyoos Cup – in Washington state this season takes place Aug. 5-6 in Deep Bay Park, Oroville.
As the points leader, Pitman is headed to the World Finals in Lake Havasu, Ariz., in October.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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