Limmi Offshore Racing, Belgium’s Evolution Class title contender in Powerboat P1, suffered a major set-back to its title aspirations yesterday when testing off Ostend. The boat, driven by Nico Huybens, lost a rudder cover, filled with water, and sunk in Ostend Harbour.

It took firemen, supported by harbour police, three hours to recover the boat and crane it back onto its trailer. Thankfully no-one was hurt and the boat only suffered minor scratches although the salt-water inevitably affected all electronics in the boat.

“With the Maltese Grand Prix of the Sea just one week away it will be impossible to have the boat ready in time,” explains Nico Huydens, throttleman and team owner. “This is a great disappointment to all of us at Limmi Offshore, we have been looking forward to Malta and working so hard in all areas to prepare for the season. Unfortunately these things happen and we will now make our Powerboat P1 debut in Naples at the Italian Grand Prix at the end of May.”