Offshore Power Boat Racing

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Offshore powerboat racing is a sport where ocean-going power boats compete in point to point racing. The sport is over a century old and has gained popularity in these years because of the exhilaration and risks that it involves. Power boat racing is led by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) in Europe, Asia and Middle East, while in USA the American Power Boat Association (APBA) as well as UIM are the bodies who have led the races. Private funding as well as commercial sponsors finance the sport.

History of Offshore Powerboat Racing

The sport was formed when in 1903, the Automobile Club of Great Britain, Ireland, along with the Marine Motor Association hosted a race of auto boats. Power boat racing did not exist at that time, and the winner of the race was presented the Hamsworth trophy.

Offshore power boat racing got recognition as a sport when a race of power boats took place from the South-eastern coast of England to Calais, France in 1904. The first race in the US took place in California in 1911 after the formation of the American Power Boat Association.

Gradually, the sport started getting popular. During World War I and II, the sport lost its charm in Europe as people recovered from the after effects of the war. It took time for the sport to return to its old popularity. During the 1950s and 1960s, the sport started soaring again and more events started taking place. With races being run over a longer distance, navigators were considered to be very important at that time. Power boat racing involves small, track like circuits today making it easy for the racers now.

Modern power boat racing has evolved to include different categories of boats with engines that are better than those used in past races. The races are also short and provide a better viewing experience for spectators now.

Popular Competitions

UIM Class One World Power Boat Championship

It is considered to be the most renowned motorsports in the world. The boats used in the race are twin-engine power boats and can go as fast as 257 km/h. The championship consists of eight races at four different venues.

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P1 Superstock Championship

The UIM classes the P1 Superstock Championship as an international class of power boat racing. It is one of the most affordable and competitive forms of motor boat racing. The race is broadcast to audience over 100 countries and is supposed to get the most media coverage. The entire championship is spread over five to six weekends in May through October. The events attract many spectators because the races are held close to the shore and the events are free.

UIM Powerboat GPS World Championship

The championship which started in Nettuno, Italy in 2003 is considered to be the first Grand Prix of the Sea. The championship continued till 2009. It was cancelled in 2010 and since then UIM has taken over the series management and the championship now continues in the name of Powerboat GPS. The race involves Evolution class and Supersport class, V-type monohull boats.

Dangers of the sport

The thrill of power boat racing comes with its own risks. Offshore powerboat racing is one of the most dangerous sports in the world. The racers should have a heightened sense of direction and navigating the boats so that they do not meet with any fatal accidents. While the authorities ensure complete safety and continue to educate the racers on the importance of safety as well, crashes are often seen as inevitable. When this happens, medical helicopters and paramedics immediately arrive to rescue the racers.

The rescue makes an exciting part of the race where the audience are on their toes watching the entire action happen before their eyes. Safety boats are always ready to quickly release racers who are trapped in the accidents. Offshore powerboat racing has seen many racers lose their lives. While boat manufacturing companies continue to build safer boats to minimize the accidents, racers also have to be careful so that they avoid imminent dangers of the sport.

Conclusion

Offshore powerboat racing is a sport that is enjoyed by many boat racers around the world. The thrill of the sport makes it worth the risks. Racers have started learning from the accidents and try to avoid the dangers as they gain experience in the sport. The authorities have also evolved as they learn from the past racing events. While offshore power boat racing involved longer distances earlier where the boats were out of sight many times, they have now been turned into more of a stadium styled racing form, so that the boats are within sight and help can be offered immediately.

In a sport where racers not only have to compete with their opponents but also match the unforgiving waters, offshore power boat racing is becoming popular by the day.

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Header image credit: “Class1 Oostende” by Rennbootarchiv Schulze – Own work.