Birth Date: Height: 5’7" Weight: 150 lbs Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown-Blonde Status: Single

Nickname:  ‘The Fighter’

Hometown: Marseilles, France

Current Residence: Lake Havasu City, AZ USA

Years Racing Personal Watercraft: Since 1989

Favorite Food: Fish

Favorite Color: Purple, Blue, Yellow and Red

Hobbies: Motorcross, Kart Racing, Car Racing, Women, Snowboarding, Wake Boarding and Training.

Favorite Quote: NEVER GIVE UP!

Music: All kinds of music and especially rhythm and blues, romantic music...

Likes: My parents, my family, smiling all day (happiness) and having fun in life!

Dislikes: People who lie, saying one thing to your face and another behind your back.

Ambition: Be successful in everything I do

Favorite Animal: Eagle

Favorite Race: 1993 World Finals

Heroes: Michael Jordan - people who excel in their respective field and overcome every obstacle that is presented to them.

Favorite Movie: Action movies…movies on the cutting edge…

What do you admire most in people? Kindness, people that have a good heart.

What do you respect the most in racing? The challenge, the competition, to show that you can be the best at something.

Favorite Travel Destination? Hawaii, the Bahamas, and France of course!

Future Goals : Improve myself in everything I do, and win the World Finals AGAIN!

The Fighter Bio

Where does the struggle to succeed begin? For Nicolas it began very early in life with motorcross, at age 8 he had already started to champion that arena. It took the tragic accident of a friend to change his focus at age 14 to personal watercraft. His father's friend introduced him to the Kawasaki 550 stand-up, it was love at first ride! Nicolas love for the sport continued on leading him to conquer the European front in Marseilles, France.

Nicolas Rius during the 2005 Corona Extra Tour

Restless and eager to succeed Nicolas was influenced by the top Americans, he set his sites on competition in the U.S. He wanted to increase his competitive level so he set his sights high. If you want to be the best, you need to ride with the best. Rius domination begins...

Photo: "Jetman UK" 2006.

The IJSBA World Finals continues to be an exclusive venue for racers to participate in the U.S. The racers have to produce funding, transport equipment, manage sponsorships, and have the ability to travel and adapt worldwide. Nicolas is a prime example of ones ability to adapt. In 1995 he moved to America, a few bucks in his pockets, a couple of words in English, and a dream--to be the best. Nicolas was very misunderstood due to the cultural difference and the language barrier. It was sink or swim--Nicolas swam.

Photo: "Jetman UK" 2006.

Initially Nicolas was very misunderstood and interpreted as being an arrogant frenchman, after many years he is known to be a very kind hearted, and open-minded person. His spirit is captured by all his fans globally. Whether he is speaking French or English his fans understand the spirit of the warrior that is inside the "The Fighter".

More than a decade of Watercraft racing has passed and Nicolas continues to dominate in the sport. His goals have not wavered since the first race-WIN! Nicolas remains close to his family and contacts in his homeland France where he remains a national hero. One of his crowning achievements includes winning the Indoor Bercy Stadium Race on his hometown turf.

Nicolas is an iconic racer, one of few in the industry to cross multiple barriers both cultural and continential; her remains a winner. Nicknamed "The Fighter" was a symbolic revelation to the many obstacles he has faced in career. No other racer is more committed to the training regime nor has as much spirited dedication to the sport.

With numerous Number One positions in the European World and National Championships, Nicolas is a force to be reckoned with. Nicolas created the iconic Rius Factory Yamaha Racing Team, truly a team with leadership and intergrity. He continues to be supported by a core staff ready to meet the high demands of the ever changing industry.

Today Nicolas Rius continues with the same drive and determination that he began with so many years ago. Like the mighty Phoenix, "The Fighter" rises strong--Watch and wait for the next rising!

Photo: "Jetman UK" 2006.

Career Achievements