Offshore powerboat race round Britain to coincide with Olympics
A new Round Britain offshore powerboat race to take place in July 2012 was confirmed during the London Boat show. However, unlike its predecessors held in 1969, 1984 and 2008 with competing craft passing from west to east through the Caledonian Canal, the new event will see competitors completing the entire circumnavigation by racing through the Pentland Firth round the top of Scotland.
The organising team will be headed by Neil McGrigor who finished seventh overall in the 2008 race and currently holds the record for the fastest non-stop circumnavigation with a time of 27 hrs 10 mins. Lynx Sports Management will be involved with the actual running of the event and ensure the various environmental and safety issues are correctly covered.
The success of the recent race will obvious encourage a large fleet of entries and in order to ensure demands for fuel, moorings and accommodation at each stop-over can be catered for entry will be limited to 50 craft. Details of the actual route and stopping points, classes and race categories will be finalised over the coming months but is confirmed the race will start and finish in the capital prior the opening of the London Olympics.
“My intention is to make Round Britain 2012 the most memorable powerboat race ever”, says McGrigor. “With the world’s spotlight focussed on Britain and the London games we have the opportunity to make this race a showpiece event on and off the water for the entire boating community. We are currently sourcing venues that will satisfy not only the race elements but also the on-shore events that we want to host as part of a wider picture. These include activity and training opportunities for those wanting to learn more about aspects of powerboating and watersports in general.”
