The Zapcat season started off in style this weekend as 28 teams and thousands of people descended on Bournemouth’s beaches for The Tohatsu Bournemouth Grand Prix and to enjoy the summer’s perfect weather.
The new points system, which was announced at the start of the season, provided some interesting movements between divisions after Saturdays racing with 4 teams gaining promotion to Division 1. Also entering into the top division for the days racing were the formidable 3 times champions Martin Wilcox and Will Evans in Zapcat 04 Wet Willy 2: Wilcox and Evans who are both employed by Tohatsu decided to make a late entry into the Tohatsu Grand Prix although they will not be competing in the full season.
Sunday's events got off to a flying start at midday with the racing again fast and furious but a lot closer after the winter cobwebs had been shaken out of the system during the previous days racing. Zapcat 73 Doyster Blue Sheets Racing had to retire from Saturdays racing after Pilot Nial Hoddinott lost his glasses whilst racing and had to visit the local opticians for a replacement pair. With his new glasses in place Nial and Co-pilot James Keeping dominated the Division 2 heats taking 4 first place finishes and a second to Zapcat 28 Westgate with Charles Morris and co-pilot Genghis (Mark O’Sullivan) repeating Saturdays form in their heats taking 3 out of 5 wins.
Meanwhile in Division 1, Craig Davis and Rob Martin of Zapcat 03 Blue Sheets Racing 1 looked set to take the top honours of the day as they stormed through their heats taking 5 firsts and putting them firmly in pole for the days final. Also proving their worth in Division 1 were work colleagues Jim Crooks and novice co-pilot Matt Clemow in Zapcat 39 The Cat in the Hat, after being promoted from Division 2 that morning they went on to take a Division 1 podium position.
Zapcat 73, Doyster Blue Sheets Racing continued their dominating streak into the final taking the lead from the green flag and maintaining it through to the chequered flag. The battle for the remaining podium positions went down to the wire; a tactical pit lap from Zapcat 28 Westgate resulted in a Silver Medal with Zapcat 14 Contact Wait Out taking the Bronze.
The Division 1 final saw Zapcat 03, Blue Sheets Racing 1 blow away the rest of the competition with a strong start, which they expanded on, throughout the 6-lap final to take the chequered flag and the Tohatsu Grand Prix title with a 10-boat lead. The Silver podium place was a hotly contested battle with Zapcat 38 Speedy Hire, Daren Ford and Sam Hunka securing it just in front of Zapcat 39 The Cat in the Hat.
“Bournemouth’s always a great venue for us” Commented Rob Martin Co-pilot of 03, Blue Sheets Racing 1 “today feels awesome, we’ve put so much work in over the winter, and it’s really paid off, I’ve always been confident Craig and I could do well and with a 2nd and 3rd in the last two years championships we knew we could achieve more. But this year something’s changed and it feels even more natural out there than it did last year. We knew getting off to a good start this season could be the key so finishing the weekend with 200 points and a 35 point lead on Speedy Hire will boost our confidence heading to the next Event at Watergate Bay. We have 2 weeks to try and do some more training, to be on top form for the potential surf conditions we’ll hopefully see.”
The champagne was sprayed as both divisions received their medals from The Worshipful Mayor of Bournemouth Councillor Beryl Baxter at the podium presentations before Madam Mayor took to the water herself to experience what the racers had been through during the weekend. Local Royal Marine Team Zapcat 14 Contact Wait Out’s Sergeant Paul Holt and Colour Sergeant Ed Holt made sure she was in safe hands as they took her for a blast in their Zapcat. “It does exactly what it says on the tin,” She continued “It really is exhilarating, and feeling the sea spray in your face is lovely. You can tell they know what they’re doing and are completely in control of the boat, I felt very safe.”
Zapcat teams now head to Watergate Bay, Newquay for rounds 3 & 4 of the National championship, which will also be the first two rounds of the coveted 2009 King of Surf competition. The Watergate Bay Grand Prix takes place on the 13th & 14th June at Newquay’s Extreme Academy.