CLASSIC OFFSHORE POWERBOAT OWNERS CLUB

Where do you start after an event of this nature has finished? I think the first mention should be of COPOC member Markus Hendrick, who was one of the most enthusiastic entrants when the whole escapade was announced to the world. His entry, a superb 36ft Supermarine Swordfish, an elegant reinterpretation of the classic Hunt/Burnard Fairey designs of the 60's was unfortunately lost after hitting an object on the Portsmouth Plymouth leg of the race and now lies 60 meters down in the English Channel. They were racing with Gee at the time when a sudden jarring of the hull alerted them to a problem, hatches were opened to look for the cause and the team were faced with a near 2 foot diameter hole in the hull beneath the helm. Despite every effort to control the influx of seawater nothing could be done, there was no hope of racing to the coast and beaching as the water quickly invaded the electrics cutting all power.

They inflated and took to the liferaft after snatching everything possible and awaited their rescue, Blue Marlin, race no 99 sank within 20 minutes but no one got wet! Gee in the meantime continued unaware of the drama astern, only learning of Markus's fate on reaching Plymouth.

It came as somewhat a shock then to the Gee team as they approached the finish in Portsmouth, a week later, to find themselves being bore down upon by a boat carrying the no 99 and flying a German flag with all hands waving at them frantically!

A determined to cross the line, Mr Hendricks, had chartered a 72 ft Sunseeker Predator for the day complete with racing no and finished in company with Gee, the camaraderie of the race between all crews showing through to the last. The Sunseeker was then host to all who cared to come and celebrate their own personal triumphs and commiserate with Markus and his team at their loss.

Considering their age, the entries in the Historic Class did somewhat better than some of their modern counterparts, (for out within the first 2 days went Fabio Buzzi in RED FPT the renamed CESA and WETTPUNKT.COM the overall favourite finished 30th after a whole host of mechanical gremlins)

Photo Chris Davies.

The historic class had 6 entrants, Ocean Pirate owned by Mike Barlow unfortunately suffered damage at the start but once fixed and refitted she set off again to satisfy Mike's determination to repeat her 69 adventure which they did despite many ongoing problems.

The extremely fast Miss Daisy, a 30ft FAIREY SPEARFISH owned and driven by Jonathan Napier and his BA pilot crew, known as team 747 were one of the main rivals to the mighty Souter built Gee and were it not for again, problems, encountered during the first legs, they could so easily have been the class victors.

John Skuse and his 31ft Swordsman, Xanthus, also completed the course even if part of it was on low loader as did Jonathan Townsend and his crew in Swordsman no 68.

At the end of the day it was the team of GEE the 40 year old Jim Wynn designed and Souter built craft, that stole the honours and 7 trophies, a fantastic effort when you consider that even right up to scrutineering they too were having big problems.

A canny Chris Clayton owner of this mighty piece of powerboating history had had her rebuilt over the 2 preceding months, re-engined with twin Cummins diesels (almost back to her original 1000hp spec) along with new shafts, props and modern electronics, redesigned and strengthened engine beds, rebuilt decks and internal ribs etc etc and finally repainted and bedecked with sponsors logo's. Chris's team had been working flat out to get her ready but were faced with constant problems and a major uphill battle to get the "old girl" ready in time.

Was it all worth it?

That is a massive yes for as they came in dockside on Monday the elation and emotions they were experiencing would match that of any winner you cared to name from any major sport, this was after all their first offshore race! but what a race to start your learning curve on.

The club should be very proud that throughout the whole race our logo clung tenaciously to the bows of this superb and beautiful raceboat and we should also remember that they not only raced but jeopardised their leading position to assist other craft that had experienced problems, including their main rivals Team 747, who could so easily have overhauled them. Such was the sportsmanship shown by the team that one of the magnificent trophies they scooped was that of "SPIRIT of THE EVENT".

We must thank the team of Gee for such a magnificent effort and representing the club in such a professional manner, our vision when we formed in 2006 was that one day true offshore racing would and could return to our shores, Chris Clayton, his team and Gee have proved that Classic offshore is back!

Photo Chris Davies.