Thunderstruck

FLYING HIGH: The New Zealand offshore powerboat series made a splash on Poverty Bay when it was last here in 2013, and a chop on the bay that day had the big boats flying. File picture

CONDITIONS look set to be perfect for the McCannics ENZED Gisborne Thunder Out East powerboat races on Poverty Bay tomorrow, with the high-speed action set to start at midday.

The MetService predicts light north-westerly winds with a day-high temperature of 27 degrees.

Sea conditions are predicted to be around half-a-metre.

The more than 20 “thunder boats” expected for the event started to arrive in the city today and will be paraded through the city centre at 10am tomorrow. The boats will then be lowered into the water at the harbour boat ramp.

Gisborne event organiser Chris Lankshear said it all looked good for tomorrow.

“Sunday is available if needed as a stand-by day but we feel confident that conditions will be fine for racing tomorrow afternoon.

“We should get the race under way at 12 and we anticipate it will take around one-hour-and-a-half for the field to complete the 100 and 60-nautical mile courses out in the bay.”

The event is race three in a seven-race national series this summer.

“The lead boats in the 100-nautical-mile event after two rounds are Auckland based FMI Racing and Fuel Doctor, with Outboard Pro from Whangarei in third place on points,” Mr Lankshear said.

“In the 60-nautical-mile event, Race 4 Life and Yamaha Bat Boat, from Auckland lead, followed by Auckland-based Outlaw in third.”

The classic class includes the boat Topaz that raced here in the 1970s.