Race Report
The brainchild of Lord Beaverbrook – a driving force of British powerboating for decades – the 2010 Cowes double-header comprised the Cowes 100 and the 50th anniversary of the Cowes Torquay Cowes.
Together, these races would become the centrepieces of the British Powerboat Festival with two of the most prestigious prizes in world motorsport up for grabs, the Beaverbrook and Harmsworth trophies.
Reigning Powerboat P1 Evolution Class World champion Hannes Bohinc declined the opportunity to defend his crown, instead preferring to focus his sights on England and an endurance race recognised as one of the world’s toughest and most esteemed.
Bohinc is a gentleman racer who thrives on such events. He loves the classic races, the occasion and the history. “The British Powerboat Racing Club always make us feel welcome and their race organisation is among the best,” he says. “We come to enjoy the event and participate in the tradition.”
The reputation of Wettpunkt.com as one of powerboating’s most professional and prepared racing teams worldwide had ensured that owner and throttleman Hannes Bohinc, driver Max Holzfeind and navigator Ed Williams-Hawkes were one of the pre-event favourites for the aptly named UIM Marathon World Cup races and the fabled Harmsworth Trophy.
However, they had decided to compete with a ‘race-prepared’ pleasure boat – not a dedicated race boat.
The FB Design 39ft RIB powered by twin FPT 560’s had served the team well in 2009, almost winning in a three-boat dash for the line, a remarkable feat for the latest Wettpunkt.com boat in its first ever race.
The lure of a place in history meant much stronger competition in 2010, the landmark 50th anniversary Cowes Torquay Cowes event had drawn some 50 boats to the Festival, 30 of which would compete in the headline event.
The international field including some of the best race boats ever produced in Europe, high in horse power and weight. The less than favourable conditions that would play a significant role in proceedings would favour the heavier, more powerful boats in both races; the FB39 was one of the lightest in the field and with half the power of some.
Cowes 100 – Friday 27th August 2010
The first heat of the UIM Marathon World Cup races got underway amid hazardous conditions as the 2,400 horse power of Red FPT stole a march. Powered by four FPT engines, the craft crossed the line well ahead of its nearest rival. Wettpunkt.com finished in sixth with Bohinc realistic about his chances given the uncertain state of play throughout and in good spirits ahead of the Cowes Torquay Cowes two days later.
“It was a tough race for us, but it was important we finished in one piece,” he said afterwards. “This is a pleasure craft and it suffered in the heavy seas, taking a battering that almost resulted in us losing the inflatable collar which would have been a disaster.
“Now we have a full day to patch up the boat for the Cowes Torquay, if the sea conditions change we are still in with a chance. It is a classic endurance race, long, hard and where seamanship and good fortune must be plentiful; we are definitely not out of contention.”
Cowes Torquay Cowes – Sunday 29th August 2010
With even rougher waters and 10ft waves in places, it was no surprise that the treacherous conditions forced a host of early retirements in what has been aptly described since its formation in 1961 as one of the toughest endurance races on the planet.
Wettpunkt.com was one of those adversely affected and was forced to withdraw shortly after the start of the race following power loss in the starboard engine.
It was a massive disappointment to Bohinc and his team as they looked for an historic third victory in the event.
“We tested the boat in between the two heats and everything seemed fine,” he explained in the aftermath. “The circumstances meant that our boat would have struggled to complete the course and we reluctantly decided to retire.”
Fabio Buzzi – alongside fellow Italian Emilio Riganti and Englishman Simon Powell – and Red FPT again came out on top with a time of three hours and 25 minutes to lift the coveted Beaverbrook and Harmsworth trophies.
Despite his frustration with the outcome of the racing, Bohinc did hint that he expects to return to the English south coast to once again compete for his third Cowes Torquay Cowes title – but not with the FB39.
He stated: “I am particularly sad for the team, who have worked very hard without reward.” “One thing is clear, when we come back to Cowes, it will be with a race boat, not a pleasure craft.”
