The Asia Powerboat Association Officer of the Day, Rory Power, attended a press conference in Macau yesterday and informed the local media about the upcoming Asia Powerboat Championship event.

The former Portuguese colony has a history of motor sport, the Macau Grand Prix which was first held in 1954, is the only street circuit racing event in which both cars and motorcycles participate, Macau also hosts a round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship.

Power told TDM Canal Macau:

It is a great opportunity to bring powerboat racing here and to introduce a new form of racing to Macau.

He also assured the local community that safety was paramount:

We are racing on open water, if a member of the public or a commercial boat were to stray on to the racing course by mistake, I can stop the race, I’ve had to do it before.

We can then re-start a race.

The gathered press-pack were informed that admission to watch the racing will be free and the best viewing point will be from the Macao Science Center. There will also be other entertainment and vendor stalls to entertain the public.

The event will be sponsored by Macau Legend Development, one of the leading owners of entertainment and gaming facilities in the area including the host venue of Fisherman’s Wharf and the Rocks Hotel where the racers will be based.