Weekend races to decide world title

Friday 5th September 2008, 2:30PM BST.

A boat is craned out of the water after the cancellation of yesterday’s race. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0633818)

THE return of world powerboat racing to Guernsey will have to wait for a while longer.

Yesterday’s first of three races in the World Offshore Championship was cancelled due to the appalling weather conditions, with today’s reserve day also almost certain to be lost as well.

The final decision was made around 15 minutes before the scheduled race start of 9.30am, although the announcement was not unexpected.

Assistant safety officer Steve Gallienne said the officials had been left with very little choice.

‘The sea was immensely rough with breaking waves in excess of three metres. We have to consider the safety boats and whether or not we can perform a rescue mission if we need to.’