Buzzi Blasts away competition at Cowes Festival 

Last weekend saw the 2010 British Powerboat Festival held in Cowes, Isle of Wight and with it the 50th Anniversary of the Historic Cowes Torquay Cowes Race.

A top fleet of Powerboat racers competed throughout the weekend in a variety of races and classes including vying for the infamous Hamsworth Trophy.  

The 2010 winner of the Harmsworth Trophy would be decided after  having competed in the Cowes 100 & Cowes Torquay Cowes courses with the fastest average speeds. The Trophy was commissioned by Sir Alfred Harmsworth and first presented in 1903.  

The first race of the weekend was the Cowes 100 where  Fabio Buzzi in Red FPT made a triumphant return to competitive powerboating, leading from start to finish as 10ft waves added to the drama during the first heat of the UIM Marathon World Cup races.  

Alongside fellow Italian Emilio Riganti and Britain’s Simon Powell, Buzzi took a tactical approach in the uncertain waters of the 100-mile course, averaging 60 knots, well below the speed afforded to the 2400 horse power machine, to preserve the boat, engines and crew for Sunday’s second leg, the Cowes Torquay Cowes.  

Red Fpt Completed the 100 mile course in 1hour 32 minutes with a 15 minute lead over closest rivals Powerboat Asia, piloted by Martin Lai, Sarah Donohue and Tom Williams-Hawkes who came in second. Third place was secured by Venturer’s Andy Macateer and Throttleman Nick Wilner and crew of Steve Macher and Giles Macey.  

Sunday saw the start of  the Cowes Torquay Cowes Powerboat Race. It  is known as one of the oldest and most demanding endurance challenges in the world of powerboat racing and saw the Solent waters awash with Powerboats as over 30 teams lined up to take part in the historic race.

The starting line up included past Cowes Torquay Cowes winners in Red FPT(2008), Uno Embassy (1975), Dry Martini (1979) and 3 times winner Cinzano (1984, 1985 & 2009) fighting to secure the coveted title once again.  

The Red FPT of Fabio Buzzi secured the victory in the 50th anniversary Cowes Torquay Cowes, completing a dominant double victory at the British Powerboat Festival and with it the coveted Hamsworth Trophy. Powered by the 2,400 horsepower of four FPT engines, Buzzi – alongside fellow Italian Emilio Riganti and Englishman Simon Powell – fought off the early challenges from  Asia, Hot Lemon and Kerakoll, to record a remarkable fourth Cowes Torquay Cowes title.  

Italian, Mario Invernizzi, and Englishman, Peter Dredge, in Kerakoll crossed the line in second . With Third place going to local competitors, Vee Ganjavian and Gareth Williams of Southampton, in Fury, a 39ft Phantom, displaying an example of seamanship and bravery over weight and power as they took the most direct route home in dangerously mixed conditions.

Last year’s race winner, Cinzano with Markus Hendricks, Eric Smillie and Simon Wood Power on board narrowly missed out on a podium position finishing in fourth. As with last year’s cowes torquay cowes race Mother Nature was also a winner on the day with less than half of the 30 boats completing the race.  

The Cowes Poole Cowes race winners were Brian Peedell and Dave Simpkins in C13 in the Class 3C Race, Class 3B won by B92 Adrian Fousler and Stewart Dick and The Club Race taken by Going Lean A42 piloted by Dean Gibbs  with Jan Falkowski in the navigators seat.  

A huge Congratulations to the organisers and all who took part in a fabulous festival.  

Cowes 100 Results

Cowes Poole Cowes Basic Race Results  

Cowes Poole Cowes National Class 3 Results  

Cowes Torquay Cowes Results

Hamsworth Trophy Results

Marathon World Cup Points