Third World Record of the Year set on Sea Doo watercraft with three new records being planned before the end of 2009, all raising money for worthy charities.
Naples, FL, USA – October 30, 2009 – Mike Pagliccia of Naples, Florida became the latest marine adventurer to set a World Record for distance on a personal watercraft by riding his Sea-Doo watercraft 753-miles (1,211 km) in 24-hours to set the new open-water mark. Pagliccia follows his 2008 attempt on a Sea-Doo GTI watercraft (624-miles/1004 km) with both efforts raising money for the American Cancer Society. Pagliccia follows Dale Vranckx who set the flat-water distance record in 24-hours at 786-miles (1,265 km) aboard Sea-Doo watercraft in July 2009, and proceeds Eric Lagopoulos in his attempt to break three World Records aboard a iCONTROL equipped Sea-Doo RXT iS watercraft on November 12th.
Pagliccia surpassed the current world record of 714-miles, set by Brett Kettle of Australia, for the longest distance traveled on a personal watercraft in open water within a twenty-four hour period by reaching 753-miles. Pagliccia began his attempt from Wiggins Pass in Naples, FL and negotiated a 30-mile track between Naples and Sanibel Island, FL, with the attempt continuing into the night with a special executive order from the Florida Wildlife Commission allowing him to ride his PWC at night on a controlled three-mile loop North of the Naples Pier.
Pagliccia credits his success on the four months of physical training he did prior to the event and having a machine that could withstand the 24-hour ride in rough water. "The Sea-Doo GTX handled the rough water extremely well and with the speed that the watercraft offered, I was able to make up time as soon as the sun started to rise."
Pagliccia raised over $3000.00 for the American Cancer Society during the promotion of the event by selling T-Shirts and through local business sponsorships. Pagliccia stated, "This ride was dedicated to my Mother-In-Law, Freda Slattery who died of cancer on March 7, 2009 and is in tribute to those that continue to battle this terrible disease.”
On the heels of Pagliccia’s accomplishment, professional watercraft racer Eric Lagopoulos is planning to break three world records on November 12, 2009; Guinness Book of World Records Day. Lagopoulos has teamed with the legendary Pro Football quarterback Boomer Esiason and the Boomer Esiason Foundation for “Project Dream” to raise money for the research and treatment of children afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis. Lagopoulos is planning on breaking the records for most miles in a six-hour time frame, fastest time to 1000 km (625 miles), and most distance on flat water in a 24-hour period.
Lagopoulos plans on achieving his goals piloting a Action Watercraft (Venice, FL) backed Sea-Doo RXT iS watercraft around a 22-mile loop on the C-54 Canal south of Palm Bay, FL. The C-54 waterway offers ideal conditions for such an attempt yet Lagopoulos will have to overcome fatigue, Florida wildlife, and count on the dependability of his Sea-Doo watercraft to reach his goals. His biggest goal is to break the 1000-mile mark in the 24-hour time frame.
Lagopoulos is looking for supporters and donors to ensure his cause is a success. “The Boomer Esiason Foundation helps families with children suffering from Cystic Fibrosis get through their days.” Lagopoulos said. “We take for granted doing normal things like riding a Sea-Doo watercraft for fun, so I am asking for people to contribute fifty-cents, a dime, a penny, anything to every mile I complete so these families can go into the holidays with a little something extra. Help me give them the good life and ensure it gets better.”
To get involved with the effort, please visit www.firstgiving.com/projectdream. You can also follow Lagopoulos’ preparation or discuss the attempt with him through www.facebook.com/ericlagopoulos. To see more on the Sea-Doo RXT iS watercraft being used in this attempt and how you can set your own personal records visit the showroom section at Sea-Doo.com.
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorised recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski Doo® and Lynx™ snowmobiles, Sea Doo® watercraft and sport boats, Evinrude® and Johnson® outboard engines, direct injection technologies such as E TEC®, Can Am™ all-terrain vehicles and roadsters, as well as Rotax® engines and karts.
www.brp.com
®, ™, Sea-Doo, RXT, GTI, iS, and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates.
GTX is a trademark of Castrol Limited, used under license.
News & Events Home Archives