Jet-skier sets up thrilling climax

The 19-year-old, who is also running second in the Jet-Ski Racing Association British Freestyle Championship, now shares the overall lead going into the season's final two races.

Hards bounced back in the best possible fashion from a disappointing sixth place finish in the fourth British Championship round seven days previously, delivering a far more sound routine to edge a tight contest at Six Hills Jet-Ski Centre in Leicester.

He commented: "I had a good run and was very pleased with my position. I felt it was very close between me and Anthony Burgess but the judges decided it was me first, Stu Carr in second and Ant Burgess in third. So the season is still looking really good."

And not merely on the National Freestyle front but also in the British Championship as well. Over the last couple of months Hards has nailed down a set routine which he continues to execute, (the previous week excepted) with the devastating concoction of class and consistency in equal measure.

The trademark barrel roll start was back on song and he proceeded to complete a string of hood tricks which led into the set-up of another big aerial trick called an E-Jump. A one-handed monkey flip, big nose stab and more hood tricks followed prior to concluding with his trademark monkey flip with somersault.