The historic arena of Plymouth Sound awaits P1's powerboat racers and jet ski riders in Britain's Ocean City as it prepares to celebrate Armed Forces Day this weekend. A city steeped in military history, with a rich and proud maritime heritage, Plymouth will be welcoming tens of thousands of visitors to show their support for our serving forces, cadets and veterans and to enjoy the high-speed P1 race action beneath The Hoe.
Plymouth is no stranger to hosting national and international events, having welcomed the America's Cup World Series in 2011 and the Olympic Torch Relay last summer, and the P1 SuperStock and AquaX national championships will bring colour and excitement to the Sound with eight Panther race boats and more than twenty jet ski riders competing across the weekend. P1 includes a number of ex-servicemen in its ranks, with SuperStock navigator Daisy Coleman having served in Afghanistan with the Royal Artillery and AquaX rider Duncan Johnstone having been a radio and radar technician in the RAF.
P1's championship manager Lisa Barsby, herself a former jet ski world champion, said: "Plymouth will be buzzing this weekend and we are looking forward to being part of the city's celebrations and festivities this weekend. In addition to our two national race series, we will be staging a dazzling display of jet ski acrobatics and high-speed tricks with freestyle champion Jack Moule entertaining the crowds next to Mayflower Steps."
In the P1 SuperStock UK Championship, the top-of-the table battle between the American duo of Andy Biddle and Tracy Blumenstein and the pairing of John Wilson and Daisy Coleman in the Pertemps-backed boat looks set to light up the three races. "We were out in rough water at the weekend in anticipation of similar conditions in Plymouth, but everyone here tells us we can expect good weather and this will suit us. We have a lot of respect for John and Daisy, and we also think the Oval team will go well" commented Biddle. Coleman spent nine years in the Army and is excited about this special weekend: "It's an honour to race on Armed Forces Day and I will receive lots of support from friends who are still serving."
Nick Williams in the Oval Insurance-sponsored boat will be joined by a new navigator, Martin Robinson. "I feel much more confident this season and took some advice over the winter from my father, who was a world champion powerboat racer" said Williams. "We have a good boat and everything feels right for us to be serious challengers this year."
In the AquaX racing, Milton Keynes rider Dave Huddleston will be hoping to repeat his success in the 300 class in the opening round in Hull earlier this month. Mat Shipley and John Heath are setting the early pace in the other two classes, and with more than twenty riders on the water the three races will create a superb spectacle in The Sound.
