Award celebrations and fond farewells
More than 200 racers, friends and family come together to celebrate UK powerboat racing success at annual awards ceremony...
Saturday 01 February marked the annual RYA Powerboat Racing Awards Ceremony when some 200 plus racers, friends and family came together to celebrate the success of British Powerboat racers in 2013.
A staggering 50 plus awards were presented to the crème-de-la-crème of powerboat racers who last year clinched a whole host of British, European, World and Speed records across the sports racing disciplines of Circuit, Offshore and JetSport.
The evening’s ceremony was hosted by world renowned powerboat racer Shelley Jory-Leigh and John Puddifoot, former RYA Powerboat Racing Manager, with special guest, TV’s Top Gear and now Fifth Gear presenter, Tiff Needell.
John, who retired just the day before the ceremony after 12 years as the head of Powerboat Racing at the RYA commented: “The awards ceremony is a highlight in the powerboat racing calendar when racers from across the disciplines get together and celebrate their successes.
“2013 has been another pehnomenal year for British Powerboat Racers with around 500 individuals racing over the three disciplines and several racers representing Great Britian in International competition. “We are delighted to have lots of these interesting and talented racers with us this evening”.
At the end of the evening’s awards presentation, John was presented with the UKOBA Sword of Honour which is presented to a person or company for their services to the sport of Powerboat Racing.
“We’ve had a fantastic turn out this evening and would like to thank everyone who came for such an enjoyable night and a special thank you to the evening’s sponsors Powerboat GP and those who kindly donated some fantastic prizes for the raffle”, John concluded.
Full details of all the evenings winners and 2013 champions
Check out the evening’s photo gallery on the RYA Powerboat Racing Facebook page
Alongside the glitz and glamour of the awards ceremony we also caught up with award winners Keith Whittle to find out more about his spectacular flip during the Coniston Powerboat Records week and Powerboat racing playboy, Miles Jennings to find out more about the man, his passion for the sport and where it all started.
More Videos from the RYA Powerboat Racing Awards Ceremony