Isotta Fraschini-powered, Italian-built Wettpunkt.com’s challenge to win the Round Britain Powerboat Race was jolted during the first leg from Portsmouth to Plymouth when it suffered engine failure and was forced to limp into Torquay.

After setting the early pace, Isotta Fraschini-powered, Italian-built Wettpunkt.com’s challenge to win the Round Britain Offshore Powerboat Race was jolted during the first leg yesterday from Portsmouth to Plymouth when the boat suffered engine failure and was forced to limp into Torquay. It was a disappointing end to a day that started so well with the Anglo- Austrian crew of Hannes Bohinc, Max Holzfeind and Ed Williams-Hawkes demonstrating class and power to the thousands of spectators lining the shoreline.

“We were surprised just how quickly we took the lead and then concentrated on increasing the distance between ourselves and our rivals. The boat felt very good and the props provided by Fabio Buzzi were perfect for the job, explains throttleman, Hannes Bohinc. Then the gremlins set in, the engines closed down and we decided to go sightseeing in Torquay. It even has palm trees!”

Working through the night to replace the twin 820hp engines, Hannes Bohinc and his Wettpunkt.com team are though once again ready to face the challenges of the Round Britain Powerboat Race although they will have to wait a full day to get back in action, severe weather forcing the cancellation of today’s second leg between Plymouth and Milford Haven.

It was a dramatic first leg in the Round Britain; only 32 of a starting line up of 48 finished and Wettpunkt.com forced to land at Torquay when the engines flooded whilst leading the race. The FB Design boat was transported by road to Plymouth where the team and its engine partner, Isotta Fraschini, worked until dawn to prepare the craft in readiness for today’s racing.

“It was fantastic team effort from everyone, including the crane handlers who stayed late to wait for us and the engineers from Isotta Fraschini,” explains Hannes Bohinc, Wettpunkt.com team owner and throttleman. “We found that the air intakes were allowing water in and eventually the engines flooded. We have made adjustments to prevent this happening again but won’t know until we are back out at sea whether the situation has been effectively resolved.”

The teams will now head by road today to Milford Haven in Wales for tomorrow's third leg of the race to Bangor, Northern Ireland, a distance of 201 nautical miles across the notoriously difficult waters of the Irish Sea.

“We are ready to fight another day,” continues Bohinc. “The main objective of this great offshore adventure is to participate. Everyone has been so supportive. A great camaraderie exists amongst the teams who all have a common enemy, the elements!”