The Ilmor-engined Warpath, raced by Antibes-based Glenn Chidzoy and Norwegian Ole Finholt, claimed victory in the Marathon category, won Class B at the Fortitudo Property Poole Bay 100 Offshore Powerboat race, the opening round of the 2018 World Offshore Championship, on Sunday.

The Poole duo of Christian Toll and Mike Bontoft, racing the Chevrolet-engined 35’ Dry Martini Cigarette, finished second.

Dorian Griffith and Will Stevens rounded off the podium positions and also won Class C in the Yanmar-engined Blastoff.

The experienced Exeter-based duo of Andrew Langdon and Miles Jennings suffered technical issues in their 38’ Outerlimits Silverline boat and eventually retired. David Foa and Charles Swales, from Exeter completed the Marathon race in the Mercury-engined Mr Mako in Class E but the diesel-engined Fugitive of Rose Lores and Francis Whitley retired from Class G.

Any hopes that Poole-based businessman Richard Carr and his Florida-based team-mate Steve Curtis MBE had of winning the Marathon class were dealt a shattering blow on the first lap when their 46’ Fortitudo Cougar sustained a broken drive shaft and they also retired. 

Photos: Chris Davies

1. B69 – Glen Chidzoy/Ole Finholt/Gordon Compton – Warpath 1hr 43min 23sec

2. B9. Christian Toll/Mike Bontoft/Michael Peet – Dry Martini 1hr 58min 28sec

3. C100. Dorian Griffith/Will Stevens – Blastoff 1hr 59min 47sec

4. E76. David Foa/Charles Swales – Mr Mako L1

5. A47. Andrew Langdon/Miles Jennings – Silverline L1

6. G130. Rose Lores/Francis Whitley – Fugitive L2

C237. Paul Craven/Tom Montgomery-Swan Sunus Ocean Racing DNF

A69. Richard Carr/Steve Curtis – Fortitudo Cougar DNF