SUPERSTAR freestyle jet-skier Ant Burgess is reaching for the sky after another hugely successful year.

Ant, who trains at Frodsham Watersports, has made a real splash competing at pro level in three major competitions in 2007 following his World Championship winning year in 2006.

The 17-year-old from Nantwich gained the coveted first place in the British JSRA Pro Freestyle competition, making him a British champion once again.

He also pulled off a well deserved second place in the EJSBA European championships for the very first time, competing in Spain, Holland, Belgium and Portugal against stiff competition.

As a result of his performances, he was invited to train with seven-times world champion Eric Malone at his home in Pennsylvania, where he now constructs and sells a range of freestyle jet-skis through his own company EME (Eric Malone Enterprises).

Malone sponsored Ant to ride one of his skis at this year’s World Finals where he was narrowly beaten into third place by 0.2 of a point in an international field of nine other professional riders.

Ant said: “It was amazing to be contacted by Eric. This was a chance of a lifetime and I was thrilled to train and ride with him. The EME ski is absolutely the best ski I’ve ever ridden.”

He is now looking for sponsorship for the 2008 season to help him train and compete for top honours, hopefully culminating in becoming the first British rider ever to be crowned World Professional Freestyle Champion.

Ant puts his success down partly to the help of James Dyer – owner of Frodsham Watersports. He added: “It has been great to be able to train locally this year, and I’d like to thank Jimmy for all his help in letting me use the water, and for getting my ski sprayed for the season.

“I’d also like to thank Lesley and Steve at Justwatersports.com for all my wet suits, life-vests and other items, Jeff and Dean at Gecko Headgear and John Church of Loki Customs for building and rebuilding my skis throughout the year.”