As promised, Motor Action Media interviews Kevin Reiterer, the Austrian powerhouse who has quickly risen as a Jet Ski icon around the world. Kevin discusses his passion and plans for 2015 in our exclusive interview.
Motor Action Media: Kevin, you have risen to be one of Jet Ski racing’s biggest international icons at a very young age. What did you have to do to get to this point?
Nothing specific. If you love what you do and stick to your dreams and put anything aside to achieve them then I wouldn’t say there is a lot more I did. My whole life I loved to race my Jet Ski, doesn’t matter how cold and on which ski it. I just love to go out there and rip some laps having fun. I am lucky enough to have my Dad traveling with me to all the races at an early age and my family being supportive. Nowadays things changed and I have my sponsors holding my back. It is definitely a team effort. What I have achieved always goes back to the people behind me.
MAM: I have seen you race several times. You are an awesome rider! Something that I notice about you that is very different is that you do not hold back at all when you race. You really “ride on the edge”. This can be hard for a lot of racers. How do you ride on the edge without losing control?
Haha well maybe it just looks like riding at the edge… I have lot of experience and I can turn my race ski wherever I want. Definitely not holding off when I am behind and I need to move to the front in a hurry. I wouldn’t consider myself as a Jackass or a no brainer though. I can estimate what I am capable of and how much I must put on the line. I am training my body to endure more of the race distance so I always have something in the back of my tank and can push my limits. When you are going out there you want to show the best you have right? That is why we are here to race. Of course you are thinking of the Championship at a point but I am racing for more than just a title. It’s more like a legacy. I hate not being the fastest on the water and I am more satisfied proving to myself I am the best rather than winning the World Title because I was lucky enough to hold the faster riders off or they crashed.
MAM: You have had several races where you have come from the back of the pack to the very front. How do you keep your cool when things may go wrong during a race?
[Laughs] this reminds me of World Finals or 50% of the other races I am competing. I think I am known for not choosing the easy way but at least I make it interesting then to be honest when I am on my Jet Ski life is so easy. I am not worried about when things go wrong …….like winning first Moto in Pro Ski and going for a swim in the second……. I can shut off everything that happens during a race and focus on doing what I must do – riding my ski – and making the best out of a bad situation. No need to be sad or angry to yourself or other racers. Get up and keep going.
MAM: You are one of the only racers I have seen that literally attacks the log jump during a race – what tips do you have for a racer that wants to conquer the log?
The log jump. I can tell you it’s a difficult relationship. Sometimes we get along together well and sometimes we are having our arguments and fights…. I have one at my training spot in Austria. She is a small and skinny one but still great to ride. I am attacking it, because I know that you can gain sooo much time out of hitting her right. I am for more of these log jumps in a race. Will make things more exciting!!!
MAM: What plans do you have for this season? Which races will you attend?
I was really hoping that Jetcross is putting on as many races as possible. But we are having only three of them this year… But they went international now so definitely will be a great season in Europe. I have been contracted for the UIM World Championship as well. Which is a 4 race World Cup all around the world. It is without a doubt the best organization and with some more years to come I think this Championship has the chance to push the sport back to the media and bigger sponsors. I have been invited to some Training camps again this year. So I will be up in the Nordic countries again, also flying to New Zealand for the first time. Also going for the Euro Finals in Poland which will be a great event and of course King’s Cup.
MAM: You had an incredible week at the 2014 World Finals, being the second time you have swept both Pro Ski and Pro Ski GP. It seems like you are already on the top! What goals are you setting for yourself for this year?
Good question, I am trying to have as much fun as possible! Sorting out my skis getting everything more organized and pushing the sport. Spending lot of time on my Jet Ski and riding against the best in the world. Perfecting my style and hopefully winning races! Would be nice to finally get the King’s Cup trophy once again!
MAM: Could you tell us a little about your race boat? What is under the hood? What kind of handling components do you use?
My race boat is tuned and built my SeaDooCentre. It has a 800cc weber engine and most of the other parts are aftermarket in there! I am on a SDC Trak hull, which makes you in love with riding a fast boat!
MAM: There have been a lot of rule changes to the IJSBA Open and GP class. Will you be changing your ski at all this year?
Maybe…… We will be having something new for the GP class. But mainly focusing on the UIM World Cup and Thailand this year.
MAM: I understand that your team, Kev-Racing has been doing very well. Is this an open team? Can other racers apply? What is required to be on the team?
Yes Kev-Racing has been developing itself really well. We are basically having the Team and Training section. This is all about helping young dedicated riders to improve their racing and become a better rider. We are hosting training camps with riding on the water but also some specific exercises and trainings besides racing. It is really good as I am just about to finish my sports education at university and this helps a lot to teach and help the riders to improve their skills. The Team is the next step after a training camp. If Kids or other riders are happy with what they get, they can sign up for the Team. It’s basically a group of cool people and young riders traveling to races and spends lots of time practicing and racing together. On the other hand you have Kev-Racing with a workshop and selling parts from my sponsors. It is a great way to combine my experiences and knowledge to help riders to improve their handling and get more power. I mainly started Kev-Racing to give support and help to riders so that they can achieve their dreams.
MAM: My most important question for you Kevin, is what do you love most about Jet Skiing?
It’s an awesome sport. You can’t really get enough of it. Thinking of some races or just about riding puts a smile on my face. It’s just everything about it. The feeling when you just did a perfect turn, or when riding with friends having fun jumping and playing around. In the races when you are next to each other giving everything you got to win the race and make the pass. This is what Jetskiing is to me. It is about having fun and enjoying the moments you are out there doing what you love.
MAM: Is there anyone you would like to thank?
Yes! First of all my family and my dad that brought me to where I am now and supported me throughout every single race! My long time sponsors that stood behind me since I have been that little kid: Quakysense, Jettrim, BNJ, Pro Watercraft, Just Vienna, SeaDooCentre, Sportland NÖ and the friends you meet at the races who become more than just competitors or friends you see sometimes at the weekend. Most of all, a person who came up to me a couple years ago and said, “Kevin it really inspires me what you have achieved and it amazes me which kind of attitude you bring up to your carrier and life”, and is sponsoring me till this day to make my dreams become reality.
Want to see Kevin in action? Watch his on board footage from Qatar.
Photos submitted by Kevin Reiterer & Kev Racing.