The Class 1 World and European Offshore Powerboat Champion, Britain's Steve Curtis, has joined an illustrious group of sporting superstars by becoming the recipient of the Seagrave Trophy for 2002
The Class 1 World and European Offshore Powerboat Champion, Britain’s Steve Curtis, has joined an illustrious group of sporting superstars by becoming the recipient of the Seagrave Trophy for 2002.
The Seagrave Trophy is awarded annually to a British subject who accomplishes the most outstanding demonstration of transportation by land, air or water. Curtis, 39, from Southampton, is the throttleman for Spirit of Norway, and the only man to have won the Class 1 World Offshore Championship four times. Along with Bjorn Gjelsten, he is the defending Class 1 World, European and Pole Position Champion. “It came as a total surprise to me, but I am delighted to receive this award,” said Curtis. “To gain recognition for what I enjoy doing is an honour. I hope it will raise the profile of my sport and be a benefit to Class 1 and powerboat racing in general.”
The awarding of this prestigious accolade to Curtis means his name will adorn a trophy that has been awarded to some of Britain’s most outstanding sportsmen. Previous recipients include Formula 1 drivers Jackie Stewart, Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell and Martin Brundle, Roger Clarke and Colin McRae from the world of rallying, and motorcycle racers Barry Sheene, Carl Fogarty and Joey Dunlop.
The Seagrave Trophy was established in 1930 to commemorate the life of Sir Henry Seagrave. A former fighter pilot in World War I, Seagrave went on to become Britain’s top motor racing driver of his era. He was the first Briton to win a Grand Prix in a British car, winning the French and Spanish Grand’s Prix in a Sunbeam. He later went on to set the world land speed record, but was killed setting the world water speed record.
Curtis has been racing powerboats for over 20 years, winning the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship in 1985, 1987, 1998, and 2002. He has won 17 Grand’s Prix, appeared on the Podium 24 times, and has claimed Pole Position 18 times. He currently leads the 2003 Superfund Class 1 World Powerboat Championship, and has his sights set on a fifth world title.
