Round 4 of the Rayglass New Zealand Offshore Powerboats was strongly contested in Napier today. Conditions were tough, in fact boat breaking, with a 30knot onshore breeze and a 3 meter swell. The consensus of the drivers before the race was that it would be a battle of survival, they were not wrong.
Team 3 made a fantastic start and gained an early lead on Fairview which by the halfway stage became a lap. The correct combination of propeller gearing and outright bravery proved to be the recipe for the team's first win.
Fairview pushed very hard throughout the race finishing second but nearly sinking on the way back to the marina due to a damaged drive.
Fairview and A1 Homes both hit debris during the race damaging skegs as the recent tsunami surge had washed logs and other floating debris into the bay and some found their way onto the race course, despite a thorough check before the race began.
The current series leader Doosan came third after a difficult race in which the windscreen fogged up and they had to slow in order to wipe it clean.
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