Michael Araujo, who was driving the boat pictured on today's front page in an apparent 'near miss' with a jetski, said he had had to slow from 100 mph to around 75mph as a result of the incident near Daniels Head.

However, he said he was confident that no collision was imminent despite a group of around six skiers passing an estimated 30-40 feet in front of him and co-driver Kevin Young during Sunday's event.

One eye-witness expressed shock that the party ? which appeared to involve individuals on rental craft being led by an instructor ? got so near to the C-class boat.

"They were cutting it close. The individual who was operating the skis should have known about the race. It was like something in a dream. I could not believe this guy would do that," said the man, who did not wish to be named.

But Mr. Araujo ? who was competing in the race for the first time since he lost his co driver Stuart Smith in a fatal crash four years ago ? was keen to play down the incident.

"I used a bit of common sense and let them go across. I would have thought that locals knew that the race was on," he told The Royal Gazette.

"The picture does look like it was fairly close and there was going to be an incident but I was in control. It was not close at all, although it is something people need to be wary of in future."

Mr. Araujo said that despite having to slow down to avoid the group, he did not believe this had affected his team's final position of fifth in the race overall.

Christopher Roque, president of the Powerboat Association, said: "It's over and done with and no-one got hurt. My racers are very smart and put safety first."

He urged other recreational water users to pay careful heed to course marshals at future events.