Powerboat Racing, like any competitive sport is about winning, but surely the winner in Hong Kong this weekend was Martin Lai and his family who put on a very successful event.

Lai had spent nearly 8 years working to seek the necessary permissions needed to host the very first Powerboat Race to be staged in the former British Colony.

His enthusiasm, deep pockets and never say die attitude ensured that an eclectic group of racers could do battle on the Shing Mun River over five 20 minute heats.

The vast Chinese crowds that witnessed the spectacle were enthralled, they cheered and clapped at every heart stopping racing moment and then celebrated the winners with joy at the podium presentations.

Race report and results to follow when final results are published.