The world's best will descend on the Broads this weekend, as a popular powerboat club hosts a prestigious championships for the first time in more than 15 years.
The UIM World OSY400 and GT15 World Championships will take centre stage on Oulton Broad this weekend - as the Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Motorboat Club, situated within Nicholas Everitt Park, hosts a jam-packed weekend of racing.
With 29 competitors representing eight different nations battling it out for the ultimate prize of becoming UIM World OSY400 or GT15 world champion, racing takes place on Saturday and Sunday, July 22/23 from noon.
The start list will include powerboat racers from Finland, Latvia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland.
It will see 2023 European Champion Paul Richard Laur, from Estonia, hoping to make it a double by becoming UIM GT15 World Champion.
While Cezary Strumnik, from Poland – the 2023 European Champion - will also be aiming to double up and become world champion as 16 of the world's top Hydroplane racers compete in the UIM OSY400 World Championships.
With LOBMBC crowning two world champions by the end of the weekend, competitors aged 12 to 16 will compete in the UIM GT15 World Championships - as 13 youngsters represent six nationalities.
Four British youngsters - Jared Duncan, Mason Jessup, TJ Masters and Poppy Stewart - will compete at their home club in representing Great Britain.
Five local racers are hoping for the home water advantage amongst a high calibre fleet of foreign racers in the UIM OSY400 World Championships - as Jason Peak, James Bowman, Alfie Sallis, Ben Sallis and Brian Shulver will all represent Great Britain.
LOBMBC club commodore Pete Mantripp said: "I’m extremely proud to finally be in the last stages of preparation for the club’s biggest event in a long, 90-year history.
"As Commodore this has been challenging at times but the journey that includes blood, sweat and tears will certainly be worth it.
"With Oulton Broad being the world's oldest powerboat racing venue, it should certainly provide everyone a great experience."
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