PRESENTERS of the new look Blue Peter went head-to-head as the powerboat championships made waves in Douglas bay.
Andy Akinwolere, Helen Skelton and Joel Defries, the latest line-up of the children's TV favourite, competed in their very own Blue Peter powerboat as part of filming for their 50th anniversary programme due to go on air next month.
Action girl Helen won the ultimate prize – a one-on-one race with none other than F4SA director and eight-times class one world powerboat champion Steve Curtis MBE.
Almost 40 powerboats took part in the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Grand Prix final.
Two days of dramatic racing, sometimes in poor sea conditions, made for a spectacular show for crowds lining the promenades.
There was local interest, too, with Island-based team Vortigern, aka Stephen and Michael Baggs, whose newly renovated Cougar 225hp, in its first race since a dramatic crash in Liverpool last month, came in 12th.
Sunday finished with the final 2008 podium prize giving ceremony presented by Geoff Matthews, head of Honda (UK) Power Equipment and Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle.
Geoff said: 'This has been a very successful end to what has been a remarkable season. It has been a challenging year for us all but we have had a great time and are pleased to have now announced that Honda will continue to back the F4SA for the next two years.'
Completing the Honda Formula 4-Stroke 2008 Championships in first place in the 150hp class was drainstore.com crewed by Jak Cockman and Andy Phipps while the 225hp class was won by 2007 Championship winners Negotiator crewed by Gavin Parsonage and Nathan Libby.
Gavin said: 'Winning the series for two years running has been great, we have plans now to move on to allow us to expand our powerboat racing careers in to a six litre class. We have enjoyed being involved with this series and have made some fantastic friends here. I will be sad to move on but our time has come and we wish all of the other competitors the best of luck in 2009.'
Speaking on Sunday, Andy Phipps said: 'All I can say is that we are going to have a huge party in Douglas tonight!'