JETSKIIER Andy Rich's hopes of winning the British Summer Series receded further at the weekend as arch rival Ray Purkiss won the Loch Ness round.

With no sign of the veteran's registration forms days ahead of the round four meeting, Greenlands youngster Andy was hoping Purkiss was not going to travel so far north from his London Docklands base.

But the seasoned rider made a late appearance and confirmed his souped-up jetski has thrown off its mechanical problems with a double win to extend his championship lead to 25 points.

Rich, the youngest rider in the series, did his best to keep up the pressure with second places in both motos on the new circuit.

But the Winter Series champion has a mountain to climb to overhaul his rival in the final two rounds and can only hope Purkiss can suffer problems late in the series.

Even if Rich manages to win the final rounds on his 800cc ski, Purkiss would still take the title with two third places.

There was some consolation for the young pretender with victory in the novice section of a non-championship endurance race on the Loch on Saturday.

Round five is at another new venue on August 3 when the penultimate round is held at the Albert/Queens Dock, Liverpool.