The Poole Bay 100 signaled the start of the British Offshore Powerboat racing season, and the event boasted 34 entries.

In the Offshore 1 Class, seven entrants took the start flag, the Italian team of Maurizio Schepici and Federico Montanari driving Tommy One were dominant throughout.

Even a 10 minute penalty for missing a mark wasn’t enough to stop them them from taking a class win and securing the coveted Needles Trophy.

Andrew, Dan and Matt Smith with Jack Weller put in a superb display on their debut in offshore racing.

They cruised round in their FB Design RIB and took a worthy second, while Richard Carlton stepped up to join the big boys and placed his Cigarette third.

Christian Toll, Mike Bontoft and Michael Peet’s Cigarette, Dry Martini was 4th, just pipping the Belgium team of Jean-Piërre Neels, Thomas Vandamme and Marijke D’hondt in Birretta Due.

There was huge disappointment for Drew Langdon and Miles Jennings, a super charger and drive damage put them out of the top slots, however they managed to classify in 6th.

The Monaco based team of Jerome Brarda and Eric Adam with Gordon Compton retired.

Foa’s Offshore 2 Win

David Foa and Charles Swales impressed with the Offshore 2 win, their Pascoe RIB was on fire!

Nicholas Gilley and Jon Fuller made their return to offshore racing in their trusty Steyr powered XS-IF Marine hull and took second place.

Stuart Cureton with octogenarian Francis Whitley took third.

Pre race favourite, Blastoff driven by Dorian Griffith and Will Stevens hit a lobster pot and seriously damaged an Arneson Drive forcing their eventual retirement.

The next round of the Offshore 1&2 UKOPRA World Championship will be in Guernsey on Saturday, July 6th.