Italian killed in personal watercraft race

KINGMAN, Ariz. — A racer from Rome was killed today during competition at the International Jet Sports Boating Association World Finals on Lake Havasu.

Vismara Cesare’s personal watercraft collided with another when racing about 80 mph, according to Mohave County Sheriff’s Sgt. Doug Schuster.

Schuster said another racer was trying to pass Cesare when the collision occurred off Crazy Horse Beach about 2:20 p.m. That watercraft spun 360 degrees, striking the victim in the head.

Cesare, 37, was knocked off the course and off his personal watercraft. Then a third racer who was leading the heat collided with Cesare’s unoccupied watercraft, suffering minor injuries, Schuster said.

Cesare was pronounced dead on arrival at Lake Havasu Regional Medical Center. The racer involved in the initial collision was not injured.

The rest of today’s races were halted after the crash.

“In consultation with the competitors, we decided that it was in the best interest of all concerned to postpone all racing activities, resuming early Saturday morning,” said Scorr Frazier, the boating association’s executive director.

The 10-day ISJBA World Finals drew 650 entries from 31 states and 36 nations.