11-12 October 2007

The world’s largest one-design powerboat series, the 2007 Zapcats National Championship, has drawn to a close with Round 14 of the contest in the punishing surf of Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall. And although they had already secured the championship title, Mick Pritchard and Baz Minns of 08 Pegasus Vortex Racing held nothing back and made sure they also secured the coveted King of the Surf title.

With waves eight to ten feet high rolling into the shore the racing was reduced to ten closely-contested heats before the finals. At the start of the day’s racing there were still two podium positions to be decided and seven teams in with a chance of filling them at the end of season awards dinner at Watergate Bay Hotel this evening.

For the rain-soaked crowds who had gathered to watch the racing there was no lack of drama as the crashing surf tested the skills of the Zapcat pilots and their co-pilots, battling to keep a steady line and speed around the box-shaped course despite being thrown high above the water in their boats.

In the Division 2 final the victor’s spoils went to 42 Go Commando II, the Royal Marines rookie pairing of Orlando Rogers and Aldeiy Alderson. Paul Ledger and Ed Nichols in 22 Clear Air Turbulence rounded off a successful weekend with a second place finish to add to their third place yesterday, and the father-son pairing of Jim and CJ Crooks in 39 Cat in the Hat finishing third.

The Division 1 final was perhaps the most eagerly awaited race of the day. After the first re-start 08 Pegasus Vortex Racing took the lead, but when 98 Team Suffolk lost their co-pilot overboard forcing a second restart, it was Richie Lake and Steve Pidsley in 37 Go Commando! who capitalised on the opportunity to pull way ahead of the chasing pack while Mick and Baz were left trailing in fifth place. Unfortunately for the original Royal Marines team 18 Anger Management’s flip meant a further restart which saw them slip back down the order again. With championship standings at stake the race went right down to the wire and Richie and Steve were just a nose-length behind Daren Ford and Nick Selfe in 38 Team Speedy Hire as they crossed the line in fourth position.

Just feet ahead of them in second position were Craig Davis and Rob Martin in 69 Energy 69 Vortex Racing who finished just a couple of boat lengths behind 2007 Zapcat National Champions Baz and Mick.

As well as Championship and King of the Surf titles, there were two others being decided this weekend – the Mixed Champions and Rookie of the Year.

Zapcat Racing is one of the few sports where men and women can compete on an equal level and many of the teams feature a woman co-pilot or pilot. Simon Taylor and Lucy Richardson, from Flax Bourton near Bristol, made their debut in the Zapcat National Championship this season and won both the Rookie of the Year and Mixed Team titles in 57 Spiky Fish.

“It’s fantastic!” says Simon. “It’s really exciting. It went down to the very last race and we knew in the final we had to finish at least seventh. At one time we were third but then there was another restart. We’ve practiced hard and we’re really pleased.”

Lucy says, “It’s great – it wasn’t easy but we hung on in there and I’m really happy.”

The awards were all presented at the glitzy end of season awards dinner at the stunning Watergate Bay Hotel.

For information on how to set up a Zapcat team in order to compete in the world’s largest one-design powerboat series in 2008, contact Ali Ward or Chrissy Winchcombe on +44 (0) 2392 526000.