Inverclyde scoops event hosting award
The RYA’s Powerboat Racing Department are delighted to announce Guille Design, Team WNT and Inverclyde Council and Riverside Inverclyde as the winners of the 2016 Powerboat Racing Industry Awards.
The awards, launched in 2015, set out to recognise those companies and organisations who contribute to the sport’s success from sponsorship and event hosting, to safety and technology.
“Once again we have been staggered by the calibre of entries we received for these awards, making the job of the judging panel extremely difficult”,
awards winners revealed.
commented Jeni Jelf, RYA Powerboat Racing Manager. “These awards go just some way to recognising the continued support and involvement of the many companies and organisations who give so much to the sport we all love, helping if flourish and grow.”
Awards were available in the following categories:
· Leading contribution to powerboat racing from a marine industry supplier (safety / technology)
· Best sponsorship of a powerboat racing team
· Leading contribution from a host venue
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Picking up the award for ‘Contribution to Powerboat Racing Marine from Industry Supplier’ was Guille Design for their innovative Class 3A Hull designs and continued development and technical support of the design which has led the UK to being very successful both Nationally and Internationally in the 3A Class.
Commenting on his win, John Guille said: "It is a real honour to receive this award for the many hours of design and hard graft that have gone into the Phantom 19G boats. To be able to provide the British teams with an affordable opportunity to compete on par internationally has been the most rewarding part.
“In Offshore Class 3A the last three years have seen the 19G's take two World Championships and two second places which has helped provided the springboard to make this the most popular and fastest growing UIM international class both at home and abroad.
“We are now looking forward to the UIM Offshore 3A and 3B World Championships in September in Guernsey which is shaping up to be the most exciting international event that Britain has hosted for many years!"
In the category of ‘Best sponsorship of a powerboat racing team’, the winner was Team WNT. Nominated by RM Racing, Team WNT stood out to the judging panel for their substantial investment and ongoing commitment to the team on many levels. Team WNT commented: “We are delighted to receive this award and for being recognised by the RYA for the ongoing support we give, not only to the team, but also to the sport of Powerboat Racing.”
While in the ‘Leading contribution from a host venue’ it was Inverclyde Council & Riverside Inverclyde who clinched the prestigious award for the efforts in hosting the first ever P1 Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea.
Neil Lochiel, on behalf of co-sponsors Riverside Inverclyde commented: “It is an honour – not to mention a complete surprise – to have won this award along with Inverclyde Council. It was recognition enough that the people of Inverclyde and beyond embraced this event so enthusiastically, and to have worked collaboratively with the excellent P1 organisation in making this a ‘must repeat’ event for Inverclyde. But without the superb contribution and dedication of many other organisations and individuals, in particular those from the ‘Blue Light’ services, the first ever Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea couldn’t have been the success that it was. So, as one of the co-hosts, it will be a privilege to accept this award on behalf of all of those people and organisations who gave of their time, experience and expertise to bring this superb event to fruition.
Inverclyde Council’s Provost, Robert Moran, added: “The P1 Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea was a fantastic event held off the historic Esplanade area of Greenock. This was the first time it has ever been hosted here and it makes this award even more special. It recognises the hard work that goes in to delivering an event like this. It is a reflection of the commitment in Inverclyde across a range of individuals and organisations to be a good host and to deliver fun and exciting events for residents and to help encourage more visitors to enjoy what we have to offer. In particular, I’d like to thank the Council officers who worked tirelessly to make sure that this and other events across the year, no matter their scale, are well run and showcase Inverclyde to a wide audience.
“The Council and our partners at Riverside Inverclyde have already committed to co-host again this year. We hope that the 2017 event will build on last year’s success and be another exciting weekend of top quality P1 powerboat and jet ski racing on the Clyde.”
P1 Chief Operating Officer, Robert Wicks, concluded: “In hosting the inaugural P1 Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea last summer, Inverclyde not only put itself on the map as the ‘marine leisure capital of Scotland’ but also showcased powerboat racing to a new audience and created a positive image of the sport for future years.”
The industry awards will be officially presented at the RYA Powerboat Racing Awards dinner, which also celebrates the success of powerboat racers from Offshore, Circuit and Jet Bike racing on Saturday 04 February in Southampton.
To find out more about RYA Powerboat Racing visit www.rya.org.uk/go/powerboatracing
Love Powerboat Racing? Then why not join the association that promotes and protects, safe, successful and rewarding boating. Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms. Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers. Find out more by calling 02380 604 159, email member.services@rya.org.uk or visit www.rya.org.uk
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For more information contact:
Emma Slater
RYA Press Office
Tel: 02380 604 215
Email: emma.slater@rya.org.uk
www.rya.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
About RYA Powerboat Racing
· The RYA is the Governing Body for all Powerboat Racing in the UK
· In 2016 the RYA Powerboat Racing Department helped over 500 people to race powerboats over the three disciplines of Offshore, Circuit and Jet Sport with several representing Great Britain in International competition.
· 2016 saw RYA Powerboat Racing competitors’ secure 2 World championship titles and 3 European championship titles. Eighteen National speed records and eight World Speed records were broken. 19 British National Champions were declared.
About the RYA
· The RYA is the national body for all forms of recreational, competitive and professional boating. It represents dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sportsboats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and personal watercraft.
· The RYA is recognised by all government offices as being the negotiating body for the activities it represents. It continually fights for the rights and freedoms of its 108,000 personal members, the majority of whom choose to go afloat for purely recreational non-competitive pleasure on coastal and inland waters. There are an estimated further 500,000 boat owners nationally who are members of RYA affiliated clubs and class associations.
· The RYA also sets and maintains recognised standards for training for both leisure and commercial boating through a network of more than 2,500 RYA Recognised Training Centres in almost 50 countries. Approximately 240,000 people per year complete RYA training courses.
· The RYA is committed to promoting all forms of boating and making them accessible to everyone. For more information please refer to our web site www.rya.org.uk
· You can find the RYA at RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble, Southampton, SO31 4YA
The Royal Yachting Association is a company limited by guarantee and is registered in England. Registered business number 878357. Registered business address RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble, Southampton SO31 4YA. VAT registration number 239281352