Please select your home edition
Edition
Musto 2023 Hikers LEADERBOARD

Macau’s First Powerboat Championship

by Suzy Rayment 7 May 2019 13:23 BST 3-5 May 2019
Macau APA Championship 2019. Plenty of on-water action © Lowell M

Britain’s Andy Wilby has won the Inaugural Macau Asia Powerboat Championships held at Fisherman’s Wharf this weekend (3-5 May, 2019). The highly competitive fleet of 12 one-design racing powerboats saw top seed Miles Jennings (GBR) finishing in second place, and Erko Aabrhams (EST) in 3rd. Organised by the Hong Kong-based Asia Powerboat Association (APA) and sponsored by the Macau Legend Development Group, the three-day event was the first of its kind in this motor and race mad city. With positive support from the local authorities and the community the Asia Powerboat Championship will no doubt become a permanent fixture on the Macau sporting calendar.

Saturday was the first day of racing, and drivers faced challenging conditions with a combination of wind and chop that saw numerous boats soaring through the air as drivers crossed wakes and sped around marks. The tough racing conditions took their toll, with one race being abandoned, and then - during the third race - a racing incident between Maurizio Carando (ITA), who was leading at the time, and Campbell Jenkins (AUS) that resulted in significant damage to both boats, and put both drivers out of action for the rest of the competition.

Sunday’s racing began with the pole positions reversed, and this, combined with milder conditions, meant that some of the younger and less experienced racers in the fleet had an opportunity to shine. Charlotte Camsey (GBR), who replaced Mette Brandt Bjerknæs (NOR) withdrawing as a result of an recurring injury, was the only female driver in the 12- pilot line up. Camsey came third in the final race of the day, showed that her driving skills were highly competitive against the veteran line up that included the well known names of David Sheldon, Barry Culver, Ricky Hill, Glynn Norvall and local driver Siu Chun Kit from Hong Kong.

Alan Ng, the youngest and only Macanese driver in the event, admitted that was his first experience of powerboat racing. “It’s challenging and demanding, both physically and mentally. However, the speed and excitement that you experience on the water is fantastic and very addictive. I am sure that I will be back, along with many of my friends who will definitely want to be competing against me.”

Race Director Rory Power was delighted with the success of the event and believes that Macau has a lot to offer the future development of this sport. “It is never easy running a race for the first time in a new city, but Macau’s rich history of motorsports makes it the perfect venue to host this event. We as an Association are committed to promoting and developing these competitions around Asia, and we look forward to returning to this amazing city, which never sleeps and brings such a wealth of cultural experiences to the occasion.” Jean-Marie Van Lancker, a board member of Union International Motonautique (UIM), which is the governing body for the sport, was in Macau on an unofficial visit to see first hand how racing is being developed in Asia. Lancker said, “The sport needs to engage with a new and younger audience going forward, and Asia provides an exciting opportunity in this respect.”

The competition finished on a high note with a grand Gala Dinner held at the Fisherman’s Wharf Convention and Exhibition centre. Local dignitaries, members of the APA, and sponsors all joined together to celebrate the inaugural Macau Powerboat Racing Championship and to toast to the future of powerboat racing in Asia.

Related Articles

Maritimo propeller development
"High speed screw development definitely is a scientific approach to what is a black art" "High speed screw development definitely is a scientific approach to what is a black art," said Willaton in opening. "Propellers can be a tricky thing, and so we take the hull resistance figures from our in-house Naval Architect here at Maritimo." Posted today at 2:30 am
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode One
Episode One - Wes Moxey, CEO of Riviera Motor Yachts - is now up and running Episode One - Wes Moxey, CEO of Riviera Motor Yachts - is now up and running Posted on 8 May
SAY it with intent! SAY it in carbon…
You know, you might also have to SAY it in epoxy. You know, you might also have to SAY it in epoxy. Get all that, and you are certainly someone who needs to know about SAY Carbon Yachts. It's all about efficiency, acceleration, pace, and the amount of horsepower required to get there. Posted on 8 May
Learn powerboating skills in Old Saybrook
From the basics to 2 new hands-on courses added for experienced boaters Recreational boaters are beginning to return to the waters of Long Island Sound. Are they prepared? Posted on 8 May
MasterCraft reports fiscal 2025 Q3 results
Net sales for the third quarter were $76.0 million, down $8.0 million, or 9.5% MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCFT) today announced financial results for its fiscal 2025 third quarter ended March 30, 2025. Posted on 8 May
Megayacht Admiral Armani 72m launched
Designed in collaboration with Giorgio Armani The Italian Sea Group celebrated the launching of the first megayacht designed in collaboration with Giorgio Armani. Posted on 8 May
Maritimo Boating Destinations - Fiji
A treasure trove of natural beauty and an abundance of adventure awaits Fiji is a stunning archipelago located in the South Pacific. Viti Levu is the main island, but there are over 300 hundred islands in the group, each with their own unique charm. Posted on 8 May
Benetti launches FB287
The embodiment of the tailor-made 67-m B.Now Oasis Deck® Ethos Benetti has launched FB287, its new B.Now 67M with Oasis Deck® - a milestone 67-metre yacht that combines transformative onboard spaces with a tailor-made layout and interior style. Posted on 6 May
Outfitting works progress on M/Y Admiral Panorama
50-meter yacht under construction at The Italian Sea Group Outfitting activities are proceeding at full speed on the M/Y Admiral Panorama, a 50-meter yacht classified by Lloyd's Register, a Made in Italy masterpiece in form, lines, and stylistic solutions. Posted on 3 May
TowBoatUS adds port in the Big Apple
Miller's launch opens its second TowBoatUS on-water towing port on Staten Island Miller's Launch, a commercial marine service provider on Staten Island's northeastern Stapleton waterfront has opened it's second on-water towing and assistance port for recreational boaters, TowBoatUS Staten Island. Posted on 3 May