WATER SPORT: JETSETTING Ant Burgess has been voted Great Britain's most improved rider after wowing crowds across the world.

The 15-year-old from Nantwich, former British Jet Sports Racing Association (JSRA) Junior Jet Ski Free-style Champion, made the step up to face the adults earlier this year.

Now, after a highly successful season in which he bagged a number of top places, as well as stunning onlookers at home and abroad, he has been named JSRA's most improved rider.

It is a big accolade for the teenager, who plans to train hard this winter in preparation for the 2006 season.

His dad Pete explained: 'It was a nice surprise for Ant at the JSRA's annual prizegiving.

'In October he was asked to be part of the Jet Bou event held in Ibiza, consisting of BMX, water ski and freestyle jet ski displays. His tricks including a back flip performed by riding between two power boats and using the wake to take off and twist 360 degrees in mid-air, which pleased the crowd.

'He also joined the PieRats Jet Ski Display Team at the annual extreme sports festival on the Isle of Wight, and became the first UK Jet ski rider to perform the back-flip using only wave power to launch him into the air.

Ant will train to improve his routine of tricks which a panel of judges gives a score for its different aspects. They include difficulty of tricks, success of tricks, crowd appreciation, smoothness and individuality.

He wishes to thank Air Time Products, Jeff Sacree at Gecko Headgear and Dean Shelfer at THC Industries for their sponsorship and support.