Roberts leads jet ski series

Former Gardnerville resident Ian Roberts has moved into the points lead in the Pro Stock Division of the Western States Cup Jet Ski Series after placing first in each of the last three rounds.

The series, which has races in Arizona, California and Nevada has come down to the final two rounds, which will be in Pahrump on Aug. 25-26.

The Arena-Watercross Championship will be held on a seven-acre lake at Terrible's RV Resort and will count as two rounds.

Roberts, a recent University of Nevada graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering, experienced success at the Arena-Watercross last year, winning round two.

Most of this season, Roberts has been battling with good friend Eric Hewitt of Placerville for the series lead.

Only five points seperate the two heading into the final weekend.

"Their battles and their friendship have only made them better," John Roberts, Ian's father, said. "They will both be happy however it turns out."

Two years ago, Ian Roberts failed to make the main event at the World Finals but came back strong in 2006, taking fourth against some international competition that was using the new, faster Hydrospace watercraft, which had not yet been homologated in the United States.

This season, Roberts was crowned the American Power Boat Racing Association Western Division champion and the Region 2 champion in Pro Stock.

Roberts now lives in Cold Springs and works as an engineer at the Haws Company, but still calls the Minden-Gardnerville area home.