Valcourt, QC, CANADA – June 18, 2009 - For the past 17 years Sea-Doo PWC racer Eric Lagopoulos has practiced hard to become one of the most well-known competitors in the world of PWC racing. Eric's passion and excitement has not only paid off for him, but also for the sport of PWC racing. The Sea-Doo team had the chance to sit down with the 31 year-old to ask him a few questions and here is what he had to say… Let’s start with the basics, where are you from? I was born in Toronto, Canada. I lived there until I was two years old when my family moved to Sarasota, FL, where I currently reside.
How did you get into racing personal watercrafts? When I was 15 I had a 300 stand up, I got into the water one day and I fell in love. I started competing when I was 15, I won my first race that year and here we are today….What class do you race in?When I first started I was a novice. I turned professional in 2000 and race in the Pro Runabout Stock with the Sea-Doo RXP-X and Pro Runabout 800 with the Sea-Doo XP.What races have you participated in the past? All of them (he laughs). I have competed in numerous races around the world including the King’s Cup in Thailand, the U.S. Tour, etc. Too many to rattle off!
How many titles/races have you won during your career?Since I started racing I’ve won 6 U.S. National Championships, 3 World Championships and a slew of other races.
How many weekends out of the year do you race?Each year I typically race 15 – 20 weekends per year.
What is your favorite race to compete in?No doubt the King’s Cup in Thailand! I’ve been there three or four times and I love it!
What do you like best about racing Sea-Doo watercrafts in particular? The support that I get from Sea-Doo. They provide a great amount of support to grassroots racing; they are only ones in the industry to do so. Thanks Sea-Doo!
What are your thoughts on the new GTX limited iS and the RXT iS?They are absolutely amazing, totally revolutionary! The brakes are something that everyone should experience, very cool! It’s great to see how Sea-Doo is trying new things and pushing the envelope in the PWC world.
What is your most memorable race and which trophy are you most proud of?That’s easy! The answer to both questions would have to be my first World Championship which I won in 2003. That race takes place in Lake Havasu City each October.
Is there one race that you always find to be difficult?Absolutely, the World Finals! It’s a one race deal. One and done. It’s not like the National Tour where sometimes there are 10 races leading up to the finals.
What is the most exciting race for spectators to watch?I’d say World Finals in Havasu for two reasons: It's the WORLD FINALS and that’s where all of the excitement is at and there’s a huge vendor alley with all of the latest and greatest PWC stuff!!
What is a typical race day like for you?I usually get up at 6 AM. Then I spend some time unloading equipment with my team from the trailer. There is usually an 8 AM riders meeting which I have to attend. And then I wait to race, it’s typically an all day event. I’m normally done somewhere around 5PM.
What is your biggest disappointment in racing?Losing
What is your favorite thing about racing?WinningHow long do you foresee yourself racing?Until it’s not fun anymore and can’t compete at the level that I’d like to. Right now I’m having the time of my life!
Aside from racing what other work do you do with Sea-Doo? I do a lot of work with Sea-Doo. I help out with a number of events, photo shoots and video shoots all over the world. The last few weeks I have actually been down in Florida working on a photo shoot.
Outside of racing what are your hobbies?Well, I own a restaurant in Sarasota, FL, so that takes up a great deal of my time. I also like to spend time wakeboarding, doing motocross and surfing – when we have waves!If you had one piece of advice to give to aspiring PWC racers what would it be?Practice hard, stay in shape and have fun, its all about having fun!
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