Powerboating: West Bay plays host to high-speed racing

Piloted by Jeremy Gibson and Malachy Browne, the winners beat If Only and Enforcer to triumph.

In the Formula Sport class Kohaku, at the hands of Gary Aldington and Nicky Spencer, led home Taz A Mania and Fat Boy.

Formula Two victors Rich Mason and Adam Corser aboard Racing Green beat Matahari IV and Anomaly.

Finally, in Formula Three, Anthony Walker and Paula Brown defeated One Step Beyond to triumph.

With advertising banned for this event, the action was only possible thanks to the support of Dorset Council and West Bay Harbour Authorities, with 17 boats on the start line for the opening day.

Conditions were difficult and the rough seas led to over half the fleet retiring due to damage or mechanical failure and only eight finishing the second race.

Teams worked into the evening and, in one case, overnight to get their boats ready for the second day when 16 boats fought for success; only 14 finishing.

Despite the rough conditions there were no injuries or incidents between boats.

However, If Only took a battering in their second race in a brand new Banshee boat, forcing a change back to their previous boat, a Bernico 19, for the second day.

Conditions were much kinder with relatively flat seas and gentler waves compared to the unpredictability of the first day.

There was, however, still enough going on to keep the competitors on their toes out on the water and thankfully there were no injuries or incidents.

The event, which was Covid-compliant, received good reviews from locals and businesses alike as social distancing rules were adhered to.

In Covid times, race administration processes migrated to the digital world, with a WhatsApp group used to send out links to electronic forms which could be completed on a mobile phone at each stage of the weekend.

This eliminated personal interaction and exchange of paperwork between competitors, volunteers and officials.