But rear of fleet stuck in heavy conditions
The overall results of the Round Britain Powerboat Race are starting to come in.
The winner Blue FPT finished an impressive hour and a half ahead of anyone else with a finish time of 20 hours and 36 minutes.
Second-placed LionHead, the Norwegian Goldfish RIB, came in at 21 hours and 56 minutes.
The next four boats are spread over the following half hour, showing how close the racing has been.
The top three podium places will be taken by a Greek crew, a Norwegian crew and a Swedish crew.
Among them, however, are Dag Pike, from Bristol, who was navigator on Blue FPT, and James Sydenham, from Poole, who was a key player on LionHead.
Interesting to note that the total sea time of the winner – 20 hour and 36 minutes – is significantly less than the outright speed record around Britain. That record was set by Bradstone Challenger three years ago in 27 hours and 10 minutes.
Three of Bradstone’s crew are in the Round Britain, two of them on Hardleys, which came in eighth at 22 hours 48 minutes. Of course, the outright record is non-stop and includes fuel stops, but perhaps Neil McGrigor, Tony Jenvey and fellow Bradstone man John Guille are wondering if their mark can’t be bettered.
Many of the fleet are still battering their way around the South West of England in heavy conditions. Ocean Pirate has been one to admit defeat, for the moment, diverting to Newhaven.
MBY’s Derek Wynans, on board the 1968 vessel, reports Force 5-6 in the Channel.
Click here for the results as they come in.
