Cowes-Torquay - 28 August 2010 -- Cowes, Isle of Wight, Friday 27th August:
Wettpunkt.com, in the hands of owner and throttleman, Hannes Bohinc, driver Max Holzfeind and navigator Ed Williams- Hawkes, finished in sixth place in today’s 100 mile Marathon World Cup first heat which was won by Red FPT.

It was a respectable result that keeps the team in contention for the coveted Harmsworth Trophy and Sunday’s Cowes Torquay Cowes although the dominance of Fabio Buzzi’s craft makes Red FPT the firm favourite.

The heavy seas - with 10ft waves in places - favoured the heavier, more powerful craft and made life difficult for the 39ft Rigid Inflatable.

Nevertheless, Wettpunkt.com arrived back in Cowes with hull and engines intact and ready for Sunday’s longer endurance challenge with Bohinc promising to take the fight to Buzzi.

“It was a tough race for us and the advantage was always with the larger, heavier boats. We are battered and bruised but it was important that we finished in one piece.

Sunday is another day, the Cowes Torquay is long and hard and we are definitely not out of contention.”

Finishing behind Buzzi, fellow Italian Emilio Riganti and Britain’s Simon Powell was Powerboat Asia, piloted by Martin Lai, Sarah Donohue and Tom Williams-Hawkes. British contender Venturer was third.

The feature event of the 2010 British Powerboat Festival is Sunday’s 50th running of the Cowes Torquay Cowes, starting at 10am.