Cottingham and Talbot rule the waves
Andrew Cottingham and Henry Talbot completed the perfect season during Bermuda Power Boat Association’s National Championship Points Series finale at Dockyard.
The pair trailed S class leaders Steven Bridges and David Selley by ten points heading into the event and were virtually handed the title on a platter after their rivals did not turn up on the day.
“It was disappointing S1 (Bridges and Selley) didn’t show up because of the weather conditions,” boat owner and throttle man Cottingham told The Royal Gazette.
“It made it a non race for us but it’s another triple crown fit for S22 so we are very happy with that. Devil’s Isle Racing are one of the few committed teams to power boat racing. We put in work.
“Thanks to our title sponsors Alchemy Fitness, Atlantic Construction and Docksiders Pub.”
Cottingham and Talbot also claimed class honours in the prestigious Rubis Around the Island Race and have clinched the season points series with two race days to spare.
Also achieving the perfect season was the team of Brandon DeSilva and Blake Burgess who added the BV class National Championship to their Rubis Around the Island Race and season points series titles.
“That was a great season for us finishing first in class for Around the Island, first in our class for the National Championship and first also for the season points so another great year in the books,” DeSilva said. “Completing these seasons are tough let alone winning them.”
DeSilva and co-pilot Burgess won the only timed race contested in choppy seas at last weekend’s event in the west end.
“It was a good feeling to win the race and settle the battle of the BVs for this season,” DeSilva added. “We would like to shout out all our sponsors and the Bermuda Power Boat Association for a great season!”
Former professional racer and three-time S-class world and US national champion Chris Marshall secured A class honours with co-pilot Cleveland Maybury, who was deputising in the absence of his grandson Jacari Marshall.
“It has been so much fun racing this year, especially against Shane Madeiros and Errin Butterfield, who are amazing friends and great racers,” Marshall said. “Unfortunately they had some issues which enabled us to squeak by them in the final race.
“The Bermuda Power Boat Association committee did a fantastic job of organising the final National Championship race, and with the very rough conditions and new course layout it made for a very exciting and adrenalin fuelled day.”
The team of Philip Raposo and Rico Smith claimed B class honours while Shaki Easton and M’Kai Hodsoll secured the D class title.
“This boat is a special boat and to get this victory it means a lot,” Easton said. “Without my team, Devil’s Isle Racing, it would not have been possible.
“We are ecstatic for winning our first D class title and hopefully it’s one of many. We are in first in season points as well, so hopefully we can keep it going and get the double.
“Special thanks to all my sponsors Code Limited, Northpoint Contracting, On Course Contracting, Harbor Side Marine and Devils Isle Racing and the committee for putting it on.”
Rubis Around the Island Race overall winners Quincé Dowling and Tai Bean, who did not compete, had already sewn up the C class National Championship title heading into last weekend’s event.