Maidstone Powerboat Racer Ben Jelf (16), this week made a 350 mile journey to compete at the 46th Annual Powerboat Records week at Coniston waters. The week long competition sees Powerboat racers from all disciplines of the sport gather in search of World and British speed records.
Ben Jelf and team made the journey in search of 5 World & British Records and at the end of day two has already achieved 2 World Records, 4 British Records and is still searching for more.
Ben’s first run of the 1km course saw Ben go in search of the F4 catamaran record. Conditions were good and as the speeds came in from the time keepers Ben managed to secure the first record of the week at 77.54mph beating the existing British record.
Happy with how the boat was performing the team quickly returned to the waiting list this time searching for a World and British Record in the O1000 class. The O1000 class uses the same hull, engine and propeller as the F4 record but has a heavier weight category. More success for the team as on the 15th attempt of the week Ben sped home with his first World Record of the week at 79.24mph.
Further increasing the weight in his F4 Catamaran Ben then went in search of the S1000 Record currently set at 70.44mph. As conditions changed Ben remained focussed and on the 24th attempt of the day soared home with another World & British Record raising the record to 76.80mph.
With the autumn light fading there was time for the Jelf Racing team to attempt just one more record for the day. The youngster headed back out to wait for the signal from the marshal boat that the water was clear as he searched for the British National Clubman 1000 Catamaran Record. Another flying run and Ben came home with his fourth British Record of the day smashing the current record of 65.76mph by over 12mph quicker to 77.90mph.
Conditions for the second day of competition were less favourable for the smaller circuit racing boats that Ben competes in so the team remained patient. Meanwhile the larger offshore boats took to the water to claim their records Ben waited in hope that the wind would die down later in the day.
“It was a fantastic first day for the team claiming 2 World and 4 British Records I’m really pleased.” commented the youngster
“But unfortunately today it just wasn’t going to happen, we managed to get a couple of runs in but we just weren’t quick enough. There’s more to get from both of my boats and there’s still a couple of records we want to achieve so we’ll be back early again in the morning and see what the weather brings. I’d like to thank my team for all their hard work and our sponsors Peters & May Racing, Castlemaine Accountancy and Your Print Partner for their continuing support that allows me to be here.”