Austrian Hannes Bohinc and his Wettpunkt.com team were cruelly denied victory in the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes when a ruptured fuel tank forced the Buzzi-designed powerboat to retire just 1.5 miles short of the finish after almost four hours of gruelling race action. Heading for the record books as only the fourth man in history to win the coveted Beaverbrook Trophy on three occasions, the abrupt ending allowed Cinzano, piloted by Marcus Hendricks, Tim Grimshaw and Eric Smilie to take the chequered flag in a time of 3hrs 35.20, seconds ahead of Hot Lemon, the race leader for much of the 170 nautical mile distance.
As conditions deteriorated the drama increased and less than half of the 21 starters were able to complete the distance. On the outward journey, with swells of up to 2 metres hampering progress, Ocean Dragon, the former P1 SuperSport contender, ran into difficulties in Poole Bay and sunk. Thankfully its crew, owner Martin Lai and Miles Jennings were safely rescued.
Wettpunkt.com reached the halfway stage in fifth place; the FB 39 powered by FPT engines demonstrating its quality in the most arduous conditions. By Portland Bill, Bohinc, Ed Williams-Hawkes and Max Holzfeind had moved up to third and closing in on Hot Lemon and Cinzano. It was proving to be a remarkable debut for the Hannes Bohinc Racing FB-39.
By Anvil Point, with 20 miles remaining, Wettpunkt.com and Cinzano were running neck and neck in pursuit of Hot Lemon. They would pass the Scorpion of Mike and Dave Deacon with five miles of the finish as the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes, Europe’s oldest and biggest offshore endurance powerboat race once again lived up to its reputation. Another chapter in its illustrious history was about to be written.
2009 Cowes Torquay Cowes start
Photo - Chris Davies
“That’s racing,” comments Hannes Bohinc. “It was really tough but we did everything we could to win in these difficult conditions. It was a fantastic team performance and we are naturally disappointed after coming so close. Congratulations to Cinzano and the BPRC for putting on such a great event.”
“It was tough conditions for fast racing out there,” adds Ed Williams-Hawkes. “The boat ran well with no nasty moments, apart from the odd hard landing. We got some good speed going round the bay and had a classic battle with Cinzano on the return leg. We managed to gain distance on them by staying in close and using the calmer waters. It was an unfortunate end to a fantastic race.”
Dean Gibbs driving Going Lean wins The South Coast Marathon - RYA Marathon Series Heat 3!
Photo - Chris Davies
Cowes Torquay Cowes race winner,Cinzano driven by Markus Hendicks from Germany, was involved in a close battle for a second time on Saturday when he finished runner-up to Dean Gibbs aboardGoing Leanafter leading almost from start to finish. However withGoing Lean winning Class ACinzanowas still rewarded with the overall trophy in the Class B category.
Drew Langdon drove hisSilverline Buzzi Bulletto a creditable third place two minutes astern ofCinzanoto take the Class C prize.
While competing in his first traditional offshore race in his Scorpion Rib Barney, Bob Turnball was ejected from the craft when chasing Nick Gilly and Jon Fuller in Swipewipes.co.uk. Although suffering minor injuries he was able to return to Race Control under his own power.
Swipeswipes.co.uk went on to finish first in Class E.
Barneywas the only retirement, 12 of the original 13 starters all completing the 80 mile contest between the Solent and East Shambles near Portland so proving that long distance offshore powerboat racing does indeed improve the breed.
Most taking part agreed this one day event, the first ever held by the British Powerboat Racing Club outside the classic Cowes-Torquay-Cowes, proved a successful addition to the 2009 race calendar and hence likely to be repeated next season.
Ray Bulman Motor Boat and Yachting, 18 October 2009
Bounty Hunter hit by engine problems but managed to finish.
Photo - Graham Stevens
2009 RYA
MARATHON SERIES
WINNERS
The RYA have
agreed to award
trophies to the
1st boat in all
Marathon classes
where the
winning boat
competed in all
3 races, for the
sake of fairness
and to help
promote Marathon
racing.
Photo - Chris Davies
The results
therefore are as
follows.
Class B
Champion
Cinzano
1200
points
Class C Stock
Champion
Relentless
700
points
Class D
Champion
Hot Lemon
1200
points
Class E
Champion
My Pleasure
1100
points
The trophies
will be
presented at the
RYA Awards
Dinner.
