Harmsworth Trophy
Founded by Alfred Charles William Harmsworth in 1903, the Harmsworth Trophy has gone on to become the Holy Grail of powerboat racing.
One of the most prestigious prizes in world motorsport, powerboating’s equivalent of the America’s Cup will this year be awarded to the boat recording the fastest average speeds in completing the UIM BPRC Marathon World Cup events, Cowes 100 and the Cowes Torquay Cowes.
Originally introduced to encourage and stimulate the development of the marine industry, the trophy was competed for by gentleman racers with Corinthian spirit.
Austrian Hannes Bohinc, considered by many as the modern day equivalent of his predecessors, is already one of only 10 powerboat drivers to have won the Harmsworth Trophy on more than one occasion.
He will compete again alongside fellow Austrian Max Holzfeind and distinguished English navigator Ed Williams-Hawkes at the 2010 British Powerboat Festival as the experienced crew attempt to secure the coveted solid bronze sculpture in Wettpunkt.com, the FB RIB 39, powered by twin FPT 560hp diesel engines.
Bohinc first achieved the feat in 1995, arguably his most successful year in powerboating to date.
The four-engined Admiral Casino Tivoli of Class Prototypes 2 proved too much to cope with for the opposition as ‘Mister Endurance’ left the field behind.
His second success came as the trophy celebrated its centenary in 2003, taking the chequered flag in all three heats – the Needles Trophy from the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Poole as well as the Round the Island race (two laps) and Cowes Torquay Cowes – to secure a dominant victory.
“The memories of competing in and winning The Harmsworth Trophy remain very special to me whenever I reflect on my days on the powerboating circuit.” explains Bohinc.
“Competing in the Harmsworth trophy is always a truly great honour and there is no better feeling than when winning. I hope I can do it for a third time this year.”
