Superboats roar in Geelong

SOME of Australia’s fastest powerboats hit the water in Geelong over the weekend as the Offshore Superboat Championships returned to the region.

Held on March 15 and 16, Round 3 of the championships featured 18 boats ranging from ski boats through to Supercat Extremes, which can exceed 130 miles an hour.

Australian Offshore Powerboat Club Commodore Antony de Fina said while drizzly weather impacted crowds on Sunday, there was a large number of supporters on Saturday.

“We’re really lucky to be able to race in Geelong, right in the middle of the city with the beautiful Corio Bay there,” he said.

“Saturday was an absolutely fantastic day; beautiful weather, lots and lots of people around, with some big crowds watching the event,” he said.

“It was probably one of the busiest days we’ve seen down there with a number of people around, so it was an absolutely fantastic day.”

The championships run for five rounds, taking drivers right across Australia as part of the national series.

Mr de Fina said the series is only held at five venues around the country, with Geelong being one of them.

“It’s not a paid profession, it’s a hobby, but very passionate people, world-class drivers and the best equipment and set up and the best drivers you’ll see anywhere in the world, race here in Australia.

“Australian racers are very, very highly regarded around the world in terms of their skill and boat knowledge.”

Channel Seven were in attendance for the racing, filming the day for a program that will air on 7Mate in around five weeks’ time highlighting everything that happened across the weekend.

Mr de Fina said they were lucky to get the exposure from the series and it was a great opportunity for them.

Information on an exact airing date will be posted to the Offshore Superboat Championships – Australia social media pages.

For more information and results, head to superboat.com.au