Cowes Torquay, UK

Overview

The most famous endurance race in powerboating returns for 2008 after a break of three years. The Cowes-Torquay-Cowes was the first offshore race held in Europe back in 1961 and now Powerboat P1 teams will be taking part in the event as part of a non-championship challenge.

The Cowes-Torquay-Cowes event has often been called the Le Mans 24 Hours of the sea, because of its heritage, the quality of racing and the demands it places on endurance, stamina and speed. The course is approximately 210 nautical miles and covers some challenging stretches of water. Depending on the conditions, the fastest competitors are expected to finish the race in between three-and-a-half and four hours. The Cowes-Torquay-Cowes is an open race and up to 80 craft are expected to compete, spearheaded by Powerboat P1 racers and entrants from the Round Britain Race, held in June.

Powerboat P1 crews will be familiar with Cowes, which has previously been a popular stop on the Powerboat P1 calendar. This picturesque town is one of Europe’s premier yachting venues and a place steeped in maritime history. It is situated on the Isle of Wight, a small island just off the south coast of the United Kingdom. Spectators are also expected to line the cliff-tops on the south coast of the UK mainland to watch the powerboats on their way to Torquay, in Devon, and on the return leg to Cowes.

Don’t leave Cowes without…
* Taking a trip up the striking 170m-tall Spinnaker Tower (www.spinnakertower.co.uk) in Portsmouth to admire the spectacular views from the top – including the one beneath your feet because it has glass floors.
* Chartering a boat so you can see the spectacular Needles rocks and lighthouse from the sea.
* Strolling long any Isle of Wight beach and looking for fossils, then retiring to a seaside bar or pub to watch the sun go down.
* Touring the historic naval dockyards in Portsmouth, where HMS Victory and The Mary Rose lie, to witness how maritime travel used to be in the days before Powerboat P1.
* If you have the money and inclination, a helicopter ride over the island. Prices start at £90 for 15min and go up to £500 for an ‘Around the Island’ special from Isle of Wight Airport (Sandown, +44 1983 402402, www.flyingschool.com).

Cowes/United Kingdom fact file
Time zone: GMT winter, GMT +1hrs summer
Location: Europe
Nearest countries: France, The Netherlands, Republic of Ireland
Capital city: London
Language: English