Count Alvaro de Marichalar, who is based in Mallorca, a Spaniard whose brother is married to Princess Elena of Spain, gave personal watercraft a much-needed public relations boost by being the first person to ride across the Atlantic.
Marichalar rode a Bombardier Sea-Doo XP personal watercraft for 6,743 miles, from Rome, Italy to Miami, Florida.
At Marichalar´s request, said Sea-Doo spokesperson Tim McKercher, the watercraft was outfitted with an environmentally friendly direct-injection engine. "This will definitely bring added visibility to the sport," said McKercher. "and hopefully with that added visibility, people will see the new technology we have introduced on watercraft." Sea-Doo was one of the first manufacturers to use direct-injection two-stroke technology, and most recently, four-stroke technology on its watercraft.
McKercher said that the crossing was "a positive for the sport at a time when the industry´s been under attack for different reasons," most notably in the US national park service in the last few months. "With him having such a high profile, this will help bring the sport into a much better position," said McKercher.
The 41-year-old Count made the crossing on the XP, putting 320 hours on the water bike. Followed by a six-person support team and boat, he made stops in Spain, Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Bahamas before reaching Miami.
During the grueling trip, Marichalar faced 6m high seas and slept in a liferaft that was designed to scare off sharks.
According to Sea-Doo, Marichalar began the Atlantik 2002 expedition "to promote the sport of watercraft riding and a healthy lifestyle far away from drugs and alcohol."
Sea-Doo was one of his major sponsors.