Cowes-Torquay-Cowes powerboat race - contrasting fortunes for P1 stars

by Powerboat P1 on 4 Sep 2009
Two Powerboat P1 superstars enjoyed contrasting fortunes last weekend in the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes powerboat race - one of the most famous and demanding endurance races in the sport today.

Despite being in a position to be only the fourth man in history to claim the coveted Beaverbrook Trophy, Hannes Bohinc was ultimately denied the chance to complete the race when a ruptured fuel tank forced the Buzzi-designed powerboat to retire 1.5 miles short of the finish line after almost four hours of race action.

Alongside fellow crew members Ed Williams-Hawkes and Max Holzfeind, Bohinc had guided the Wettpunkt.com hull towards the leading pack having reached the halfway stage of the 170 nautical mile race in fifth place.

'That's racing,' mused Austrian Bohinc. 'It was really tough but we did everything we could do to win in these difficult conditions. It was a fantastic team performance and we are naturally disappointed after coming so close.'

Shelley Jory emerged from the weekend in much higher spirits after Team Scorpion finished the race fourth overall and first in their class.

Racing with sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, aged 70, the team completed the rigourous course in just over four hours.

At the evening prize-giving ceremony held at the Royal Yacht Squadron on Cowes, Jory was awarded the Ladies Trophy by Lady Aitken and the Motor Boat and Yachting Trophy for being the fourth placed driver while Sir Robin received the MEMA Trophy for being the oldest competitor.

Southampton-born Jory said: 'It was an interesting experience and one I won't forget. I will definitely be back next year - but as a spectator!'

She added: 'This was definitely one of the toughest endurance races I have ever done. I though the boat was amazing and I have to pay tribute to Robin and the rest of the crew for their stamina and contribution to getting the boat back to Cowes.'

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Remarkably, the testing conditions resulted in only nine out of the 20 boats that crossed the start line completed the race.