2025 IJSBA World Finals: ACE x Performance Sweeps Every Vintage Class
🏁 2025 IJSBA World Finals: ACE x Performance Dominates Vintage Classes
By Rachel Cummings
The 2025 IJSBA World Finals were nothing short of a huge success and a world-class showing for ACE x Performance. We set out with an ambitious goal to sweep all vintage classes, and the team delivered in full force.
We swept the podium in four classes, and several of our riders hit their goals of finishing in the top 10, top 5, or top 3 among an incredibly competitive field. Beyond our core lineup, we’re proud to support a growing number of customers, riders, and friends who trust our setups and represent ACE x Performance both on the line and out on the water.
There’s always plenty of talk surrounding the World Finals, but one thing is certain: ACE x Performance was the fastest that showed up. Preparation, teamwork, and camaraderie shined through all week, and the results speak for themselves.
Day 1: Getting to Work
The team arrived in Lake Havasu City on Sunday, October 5 and got straight to work preparing for the Vintage 550 Limited race on Monday, the Vintage Super Chicken race on Thursday, the Pro Mod Vintage Ski on Saturday, and the X2 Open on Sunday. We hit Body Beach to fine-tune skis and shake down both equipment and riders.
Working alongside Luke Christie, Michael Prodanovich, Bryson Olson, and Cole Schattinger, the crew dialed in every detail on the beach and late into the night to make sure our skis were race-ready for the first race of the week: 550 Limited.
Vintage 550 Limited
This year marked the long-awaited return of the 550 Limited Class to the World Finals, and the regional racers showed up strong with 13 riders on the line. After a full day of tight battles and three 6-minute motos, the results in order of overall finish were:
🥇 Luke Christie (#5) ACE x Performance
🥈 Michael Prodanovich (#SRB2) ACE x Performance
🥉 Bryson Olson (#27) Tahoe2Strokes x ACE x Performance
4️⃣ Adam Shafer ACE x Performance
5️⃣ Robby Takhar
6️⃣ Zoe Schriner
7️⃣ Michael Demauro
8️⃣ Matt Madrigali
9️⃣ Jesse Shores
🔟 Ethan Tarrazas
🏁 Kyle Maxwell
🏁 Cole Schattinger ACE x Performance
🏁 Anthony Oksas
Cole Schattinger had an impressive first moto, finishing second overall before being docked a lap for not wearing shoes during the race (lame). Bryson Olson pulled holeshots in motos 2 and 3 but received a penalty in moto 2 for missed buoy. Luke Christie (#5) showed impressive consistency and race-craft with a 1-1-2 finish for the overall, as well as Proto (#SRB2) with a 2-2-3 finish and 2nd overall.
Mid-Week: Team Time and Training
After celebrating the 550 Limited victories with well-earned dinner and cake, the team took Tuesday to relax on the lake and have some fun. By Wednesday, it was right back to work.
We set up a rough and technical track at That Beach to test lines and push limits, ensuring every ski was ready for the next big challenge — the Pro Mod Vintage Ski Class on Saturday and the Super Chicken on Thursday.
The following days were quieter on the surface, but behind the scenes it was nonstop garage time, wrenching, and fine-tuning. Every detail mattered.
Vintage Super Chicken
The Vintage Super Chicken Class made a comeback appearance this year, and of course, we had to dust off the old ACEx Super Chicken and give it another run.
Michael Prodanovich hopped aboard to defend his title and chase a three-peat championship in this fan-favorite class. True to form, Mikey pulled the holeshot, won both motos, and claimed his third consecutive World Title in the Super Chicken class.
Another piece of history for ACE x Performance and a nod to keeping the classics alive.
Vintage Super Chicken Results:
🥇 Michael Prodanovich (#SRB1) ACE x Performance
🥈 Bryson Olson (#27) Tahoe2Strokes x ACE x Performance
🥉 Chad Heishman
4️⃣ Dayton Ramoz
5️⃣ Richard Longacre
Vintage Ski (Pro Mod 550 Open)
Saturday, October 11 brought together 15 fast vintage racers for the Pro Mod 550 Open Class, one of the most stacked lineups of the event.
With a dominant performance featuring two wire-to-wire holeshot wins, Andrew Cecere, the “ACE” in ACE x Performance, claimed his second World Title in this class with a 1-1 overall finish. This marked Andrew’s fifth consecutive Vintage World Title at the IJSBA World Finals, an especially impressive feat as one of the few racers who both builds and rides his own equipment.
Backing him up with equally strong performances:
🥈 Nick Scholten ACE x Performance
Secured second overall, giving the team a perfect 1-2 finish.
🔥 Rachel Cummings ACE x Performance
Rachel, the co-partner of ACExPerformance, achieved her goal of a top 10 finish, taking eighth overall as one of only two female competitors in the Pro Mod 550 Open Class. She continues to hold the title as the highest-ranked female vintage ski racer of the last five years.
⚡ Ron Kerkes ACE x Performance
Finished fifth overall, showing excellent speed, consistency, and racecraft.
💪 Joe Filipe ACE x Performance
Earned fourth overall, improving his personal best from last year.
Vintage Ski (Pro Mod 550 Open) Results:
🥇 Andrew Cecere (#476) ACE x Performance
🥈 Nick Scholten (#42) ACE x Performance
🥉 Dan Fitzgerald
4️⃣ Joe Filipe ACE x Performance
5️⃣ Ron Kerkes ACE x Performance
6️⃣ Jack Eidt
7️⃣ Axl Jaracz
8️⃣ Rachel Cummings ACE x Performance
9️⃣ Justin Treder ACE x Performance
🔟 Jake Shores
🏁 Michael Prodanovich ACE x Performance
🏁 Adam Shafer ACE x Performance
🏁 Kyla Desrosiers
🏁 Destry Smith
🏁 Dayton Ramoz
Vintage X2 Open
After Saturday’s success, the team was right back at it Sunday for the Vintage X2 Open Class.
Andrew Cecere, a two-time defending X2 World Champion, originally planned to race his fully built X2 again for a third straight title. But after some chatter in the pits, a last-minute decision changed the plan.
Nick Scholten stepped in, hopping on the ski with zero ride or practice time, and took on the full factory ride spot for the team. This move gave Andrew the opportunity to focus on supporting and mentoring other riders, including Dylan and Trevor Waters, two brothers we’ve been working with all year to build up their skis and race program.
The result was pure dominance. The team swept the podium, locking down the top three spots in a field of 13 riders.
Vintage X2 Open Results:
🥇 Dylan Waters ACE x Performance
🥈 Trevor Waters ACE x Performance
🥉 Nick Scholten ACE x Performance
4️⃣ Mason Kotara
5️⃣ Louie Venditto
6️⃣ Luke Christie ACE x Performance
7️⃣ James Bamburg
8️⃣ Luke Blanton
9️⃣ Chris Sbragia
🔟 Justin Wheir
🏁 Jordan Smith
🏁 Karl Hausch
🏁 Parker Porter
Final Thoughts
The vintage ski scene continues to show up and show out at every event in the watercraft community. We’re proud to have supported 15 vintage skis at the 2025 IJSBA World Finals, and many more across the country and around the world, providing competitive and reliable equipment that performs under pressure.
A true testament to our mission of building performance that works, not a single ACE x Performance rider recorded a DNF the entire week. Reliability, preparation, and teamwork continue to define who we are.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we look toward 2026, we’re excited to continue building up both new and veteran racers in the two-stroke racing scene. With our recent acquisition of a 2010 two-stroke SuperJet, we’re ready to take on a new challenge: fine-tuning a “Lites” SuperJet build and shaking up the class.
Innovation never stops at ACE x Performance, and our mission stays the same:
Making two-strokes great again. 💨
Thank You
A huge thank you to all of our family, friends, and customers for your continued support. Thank you for rocking our merch with pride and trusting the process — none of this happens without you.
🛒 Shop the latest gear: ACE x Performance Speed Shop Tee
📲 Follow along: @acexperformance