Whanganui couple ‘coming out hard and fast’ for UIM World Jetsprint Championship

Whanganui couple Rob and Ange Coley are hungry for success at UIM World Jetsprint Championship in Wānaka and Whanganui. Photo / Jeremy Ward, Shot360 Photography

Whanganui couple Rob and Ange Coley have this year’s Jetsprint UIM World Championship in their sights.

Rob Coley has been in the jetsprints arena for 15 years; his wife Ange joined the two-person crew six years ago and they have been competing together ever since.

They are looking forward to the world championship set to take place in Wānaka on January 25-26, and Whanganui on February 2-3, the first time in nine years the event has been held in New Zealand.

“There’s certainly some great races out there and probably one of six that can win,” Rob said.

“It’s going to be the toughest world series there’s ever been.

“There are many guys that can deliver on the day and you just have to hope all your ducks line up, your head’s in the right space and your boat performs - there is no reason why we can’t take the world championship.”

The couple's superboat reaches 120km/h in 1.8 seconds. Photo / NZME

Rob got involved in the sport after initially being a spectator.

“I used to go and watch the jetsprints with the boys in Whanganui and I always said if I could afford to do it, I certainly would love to.

“I’d never done motorsport before and got straight into superboats.”

Ange came on board six years ago after Rob’s previous navigator, Kelly Minnell, finished up.

“I jumped in the boat after Rob’s [big] crash in Whanganui,” Ange said.

“He’d had several crashes before that as well. I thought if you’ve got precious wife cargo in the boat, you might not go as hard and crash as much.

“We’ve only had one crash in six seasons so that just says it all really doesn’t it?”

The couple won the PSP NZ Jetsprint Championship in 2023, among other impressive results, and have a unique relationship in the boat.

Most teams operate with a driver and a navigator who hand-signals the turns. Ange, however, rarely navigates and is there for reassurance and luck.

“That was the deal for her - she said ‘I’ll hop in there honey, but I will not navigate',” Rob said.

She changed her approach in the recent third round of the NZ Jetsprint Championship and is learning the tracks for the world championship.

Rob has been mowing the course into his lawn for muscle memory and trying to get fit to combat the sharp turns.

He said both courses were familiar to him but the Wānaka course was constructed to suit technique, rather than speed as at the Whanganui track at Upokongaro.

Rob’s dedication and competitiveness have not diminished over the years.

“They used to call me Mad Dog and I had that name for one reason and one reason only - I was pretty crazy and wanted to win at any cost; it cost me some pretty big crashes,” he said.

Ange said she wanted Mad Dog back to help claim the title.

“I said to Rob, ‘Mad Dog’s back'. We are just so hungry for the world series, Rob’s wanted this for a very long time and we’re coming out hard and fast,” she said.

The second round will be held at Whanganui’s Shelter View, a track they love.

“It’s been round nearly 25 years. It is a cool track, I absolutely love it and it always looks the part,” Rob said.

“They’ve done a fantastic job there and certainly is going to be looking good for the world series.”

The Shelter View Jet Sprint Track at Upokongaro will host the second round of the world championship. Photo / NZME

New Zealand Jetsprint Association president Julia Murray, of Shelter View, is thrilled for Whanganui to host the event after nine years.

“We’re really excited to have it back here in Whanganui,” Murray said.

“It’s an awesome competition with Americans, Australians and New Zealanders. It’s going to be really close racing.”

She said the sport continued to grow in participation and spectators.

“I think we have 23 superboats racing in the world series, which is probably the biggest field we’ve ever had.

“We found in New Zealand we’ve had a lot of Americans come to race with us and compete in our series. It is good for the sport as people move around countries and race against each other.”

Depending on the weather, there were expected to be up to 5000 spectators in Whanganui.

The Coleys hope to see a big crowd at the event.

“It will be awesome to see everyone come out and support it - it is a massive event for Whanganui,” Rob said.

Tickets for the UIM World Jetsprints Championship in Whanganui can be bought on the New Zealand Jetsprint Championship website.