F2000 Powerboat World Cup 2007 Sabah

Briton Colin Jeff dominated the final race which took place this morning off Kota Kinabalu, he lead from start to finish followed by his brother Owen ahead of third place Italian Alex Carrera. Once again the spectators had now idea as to what was going on as the commentary appeared to be only available in the pits area. Thus it was similar to watch an early movie, yes there was the whine of engines but no one new who was who. Half way through the race yellow flags were waved, why we can only guess, so the boats slowed and ran a few laps in convoy before sprinting to the finish. There was no indication as to how many laps were raced but I found out later a race is normally 30 laps.

The shame is that people were ignorant about the fact that Colin Jeff's win was the 3rd this year and he ending the day with 67 point out of 80, second place in the championship went to Alex Carrera with 39 points. I do not know the third place overall as could not identify the boat but think it was Latvian Uvis Slakteris who has had a string of fourth places.

The question on everyone's tongue is will the race return next year, if it does hopefully the local organiser will get their act together and provide decent information, that the public and the competitors deserve. this year there were too many people waling around with Official badges who did not have a clue about what was going on.



David Ogden
Yacht Watch Service

Farce At F2000 world Championship Sabah

What promised top be an exciton day in the history of Sabah the first final of the F2000 world cup Powerboat race turned into a farce today. there has been a total lack of information during the the event. it semester the only people who know what is going on are the pit crews.

The final race was abandoned after one of the competitors flipped on a downwind leg burying its bows in a wave. Conditions were far from ideal with a force 3 wind gusting to 4 causing the swell to have breaking waves.

The organiser decided to re run the final race on Monday but did not realise that the film crews were committed to other work so it seems the final; will be a closed door event with no publicity.

The company running the event may have good political contacts and initial ran a publicity campaign but have failed to provide the general public with any information as to what was taking place. This is a great shame and perhaps due to greed. It would have been far better to learn about the sport and the basic requirements such as a smooth surface of water, and at least have someone in the company who knew what a powerboat was.

David Ogden
Yacht Watch Service

Sutera Harbour Marina - F2000 World Cup Powerboat Race

The F2000 Worlds Cup power boat race is being help of Kota Kinabalu this weekend and a course has been laid out North of Sutera Harbour Marina off the waterfront. the race is the final of a series of races in which two British brothers are sharing the lead. O nthe first practice race hower it was Frenchman Jean Baptise who was setting the pce in the time trials.

The local organisers Powersport events are to be commended for bringing the race to Sabah, however they have a lot to learn by way of keeping the public informed with what is happening. thousands of people lined the waterfront to see the boats racing but know one has as clue as to which boat is which which makes a mockery of the whole event.

The Public came out to support the event but the organisers seemed to have spent more time and money setting up sideshows instead of profividing information about the racing.

David Ogden
Yacht Watch Service