Powerboat Week News

INTERNATIONAL powerboat racing returns next week to Guernsey waters for the first time in 11 years
About 20 boats from the UK, Sweden, Italy and France will be here to contest three races in the UIM Class 3C World Offshore Championship for two-litre craft.
Guernsey Powerboat Association safety officer Rob Dodsworth said the turnout would be similar to the last event that was held here.
‘Since 1997, powerboat racing at clubman level has been in decline because of the cost and it proves that people will come to Guernsey to race for the hospitality and because they know it will be a well-run event,’ he said.

Boats capable of travelling at more than 90mph will start arriving tomorrow. The QEII Marina’s east arm will form the pit area from where boats will be craned in and out of the water.
Two of the races will double up for British National Championship points.
The first safety briefing takes place at 7pm on Monday and people who can help are asked to turn up at the marquee in the pit area.
‘We’re always looking for divers,’ said Mr Dodsworth.
‘We just about have enough, but if anyone else can help out, we can arrange to put them on a rib.
‘Anybody who wants to help out on guard-boat duties, too, can come along as we often have boats that are needing crew.’

Channel Island racers to look out for next week include Sark’s John Guille, who has a new boat, Guernsey’s Kevin Walsh, who has great knowledge of local waters, and Jersey’s ex-world champion Roy Smith.
Race control will operate from Castle Cornet, with the latest information being relayed to the pits.

The event is being run in conjunction with Orda – the Offshore Racing Drivers’ Association.
Racing will take place between Guernsey and Sark and there will be variations to the course each time. Race two will take drivers in a southerly direction in the Goulliot Passage, between Brecqhou and Sark, for the first time.

The week’s charts for recommended spectator boat areas will be available from the pit marquee throughout.

Further details are available at www.guernsey2008.worldoffshore.com (from thisisguernsey)

Its nice to see the Powerboats back, its a shame that the powerboat radio station is not back as well...

i used to love listening to the radio station.....entering the competitions and the friendly banter of the DJ's....ah those were the days !!!

I for one am happy to see the return of Power boat week ,i used to love it i used to help on a guard boat so you get close to the action "cool" we will have to see what next week brings.

loved the atmosphere on north beach and watching the parade.welcome back to guernsey all you powerboaters we have missed you

well its good they are back,wonder if the Formula 1 of power boats will eva return?
maybe with all the money save from 0-10 maybe some one will sponser it ?

I went for a gander this morning there were a few boats the rest are arriving today .We walked through easy this morning but i did notice that the general public are not permitted on the east arm ,i hope they do not enforce it as its the only way you will be able to see them close up. lets hope the weather improves a bit by Thursday.

shame they`re not bringing the proper ones really. With all the hype I think most people believed the class 1`s were coming back

More misery for powerboat fans in Guernsey. Bad weather today (Saturday) means that all racing has been postponed until tomorrow. The first event is scheduled for 9am.

Meanwhile, although they hav'nt made it out onto the water yet, the powerboaters still put on a good show in St Peter Port last night.

The pirates themed parade along the seafront had the 18 Class C3 boats on display for the people who'd braved the poor weather to cheer them on.

Boats from Italy, Sweden, France and the UK are in the island to take part in the world championship race - facing up to the Sark entrant, and one local's recent eBay purchase.

And with all racing so far cancelled, at least they'd had plenty of time to prepare their boats. (from CIonline)

Its a shame the weather has put a "Dampener" on this..

Tiny wrote:shame they`re not bringing the proper ones really. With all the hype I think most people believed the class 1`s were coming back

Proper ones ?? Tiny, what planet are you on ?? They are proper boats you muppet !!!