Microlink PC Fury, far right, takes the lead in the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race. Picture by Chris Davies - powerboatpix.co.uk
POWERBOATS
MICROLINK PC Fury held off the challenge of 2011 Cowes-Torquay-Cowes winner Cinzano to take the Cowes Classic powerboat title last weekend in a thrilling battle.
The 37ft Phantom hull, crewed by Vee Ganjavian and Gareth Williams, completed the round trip in two hours 42 seconds, at an average speed of 68mph, to take the Beaverbrook Trophy from Cinzano, driven by Markus Hendricks, Simon Wood-Power and Eric Smillie, who finished just four minutes later.
The team were in fact lucky to cross the finish line with very little fuel left in the tanks.
Third was Smokin’ Aces, driven by Chris and Nick Dodge.
In all, 17 boats took part in the race, although a rolling swell meant only 14 boats made it to the first mark, with OSG Magnum Marinewear, Silverline and Grey Ghost dropping out early.
By the second mark, the challenging course had further reduced the fleet with Apache Warhorse, Swipe Wipes and Pippa all retireing.
Microlink PC Fury had taken the lead at the half way mark with Cinzano close behind, and that was how it stayed until the finish.
The shorter Cowes-Poole-Cowes race had three classes. The main class was won by Carbon Neutral, from Amaryliss Racing and Tec care.
The P1 250 Superstock championship was won by Pertemps, their first in the 2012 series.
Crewed by John Wilson and navigator Maj Nigel Hindmarsh, Pertemps took the lead from Pickfords (Dean Stoneman and Dave Flewin) just before the Wytch Farm marker and never looked back.
Third was Peters & May Racing (Mike Lovell and Luke Elkin).
In the P1 150 class, Rose Lores (Stubbington) and John Donnelly (Hampshire) earned victory with Team 73.
They finished six minutes clear of reigning champions Stuart and Sara Cureton (Lindford) in their Team Purple vessel, which was later disqualified for losing the engine cowling.
David and Kirsty Toozs-Hobson (Arundel) were credited with second place in Mermaid, and therefore retain the lead of the class title race, while Mark Neale (Tedworth House) and Daisy Coleman were third in Mission Motorsport.