#powerboat – The World's biggest, meanest and fastest powerboats are roaring across UK seas this June 8th to the 11th and the organisers have just announced the final details on how the public can be at the heart of the action. The good news is that every part of it is completely free.
This is the 'Venture Cup Prologue' - the World's longest, toughest and most prestigious powerboat race - which is cutting it's teeth this Summer in UK waters in advance of an epic adventure from London to Monte-Carlo in June of 2014.
Starting from Tower Bridge in London on Saturday June 8th, national and international teams will put their technical excellence, bravery and endurance to the test as they battle the elements for honours over four days. Competitors will be forced to hammer across, through and sometimes under the waves in a brutal bone-shaking marathon, pushing themselves and their machines to the limit. Boats and crews alike will endure snap-forces in excess of 40g, with hearts beating at over 150bpm, hour after hour, wave after wave.
This is a major new event for London and at the recent launch, Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "As Mayor of London it gives me huge pleasure in welcoming the prestigious Venture Cup to the shores of our great River Thames. The sight of these fearsome machines battling it out on the waves will offer a fantastic sight to behold, as well as a great day out for families and powerboat fanatics alike. This is another brilliant example of how London is cementing its reputation as the best place in the world to stage top class sporting events."
The action starts right in the heart of London's Docklands where a free Fanzone will be open to the public at Wood Wharf in Canary Wharf on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th from 11am to 11pm, with the raceboats on display, exciting bars, innovative food, and supporting attractions. This is a superb venue for such an event and is only 30 seconds walk from Canary Wharf Tube and DLR stations.
The fleet will then slip out of Wood Wharf early on the morning of Saturday 8th for a race start at Tower Bridge between 8am and 9am. The area around City Hall and Potters Fields are recommended as the best locations for viewing the sights and sounds of thousands of horsepower eager to begin their 750-mile race.
With much of the Thames now under speed restrictions, the Venture Cup fleet will proceed down to Southend-on-Sea for a 'Hot (or full speed) Start'. The local borough council have taken a proactive role in putting their location at the the heart of the event and they're encouraging people to be a part of the action by enjoying unparalleled views from the World's longest pleasure pier from 10.15 am on.
From Southend-on-Sea the fleet will be racing hard right along the south coast and great viewing should be available right on the shoreline at Herne Bay, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, St Catherine's Point, The Needles and all spots in between. Once past The Needles the racing turns south as they charge towards the finish-line immediately off St Peter Port in Guernsey.
The arrival in Guernsey will coincide with the opening of the second full 'Fanzone', again all free to the public, on Albert Pier.
Sunday is a lay-day on the island with local racing from the Guernsey Powerboat Association entertaining the crowds. The Venture Cup action continues on the Monday when the fleet will race around the Channel Islands including a lunchtime stop in Jersey where the public are encouraged to come out to watch the racing and then meet the boats and the crews at Albert Pier before witnessing a spectacular restart.
The race concludes on Tuesday 11th with a final leg from Guernsey to Bournemouth, with the local pier providing the best vantage point from 1.00pm on. Once completed, the fleet will proceed to The Quay in Poole for an open-air prize-giving ceremony. The first boats should be arriving around 3.00pm.
Further details on the race, including live race-tracking, can be found at www.ventureoffshorecup.com
