This Is Guernsey

By Matt Lihou

Class 3C powerboats return to local waters this week for the world championship. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0442919)

THIS week sees the return of world powerboating to Guernsey.

The prestigious UIM Class 3C World Offshore Championship has attracted some of the sport’s biggest names to the island and they will compete in three races between Guernsey and Sark.

It is the first time since 1997 that the island will play host to a premier world powerboating event. Guernsey’s sole boat in the event will be Caw Blimey Too, driven by Kevin Walsh and navigated by John Falla.

Walsh is confident going into the races, two of which double up as heats of the British National Championship, despite his preparation having been far from ideal.

‘We have had a few setbacks, mainly because the boat has had a lot of engine problems over the past few weeks and months,’ he said.

‘But I’m looking forward to it and it will be a good test to see how we perform against the best, including some ex-world champions.’

Walsh believes that the biggest threats will depend on the weather conditions.

‘In the calm, there is no doubt that the Finns, the Swedes, and possibly even the French, will be up there. But if it is rough, then the British will be very difficult to beat.’

The first two races will be near the 60 nautical miles mark, while the final race will be a longer 80-mile affair.

All three of the routes will take the boats between Brecqhou and Sark, as well as down to St Martin’s Point.

Spectators will be able to watch the action from the harbour or other locations on the east coast.

There will also be the race pits and entertainment areas on the east arm of the QE II marina.

The boats have now arrived ready for the event, with the first batch having come on Sunday and the remainder yesterday.

Those already in the island yesterday indulged in an unofficial practice session.

Robert Dodsworth, the event’s safety officer, believes everything is progressing according to schedule.

‘The boats have arrived and are in the pits, so everything is going well.’

He stressed that with the potentially poor weather conditions later in the week, any decision on courses will be made with only safety in mind.

‘Different conditions suit different boats at different parts of the course.

‘If it is rough, we may be put under a bit of pressure by some of the boats that will thrive in those conditions, but we will not be forced into anything.

‘Any decision we make on whether to run the full course will be about whether or not we can affect a successful rescue if the need arises.

‘We will assess the situation on a day-by-day basis,’ he said.

As well as the solitary Guernsey boat on show, a single entrant from both Jersey and Sark will be present.

Roy Smith, Jersey’s participant, won the title in 2002 and 2003 and could be a force to be reckoned with again.

They will be joined by fleets from all over the UK and Europe, including as far afield as Scandinavia.

The field includes a number of former world and European champions.

Article posted on 2nd September, 2008 - 2.29pm