Cowes – Monte Carlo 2013

The Ultimate Adventure!

2011 – 2013 now sees Construction Racing’s major expansion with our entry into the Cowes to Monte Carlo Race. The race  was launched in style at the London International Boat Show with the official announcement declaring that the world’s longest and toughest powerboat race will start from Cowes on the Isle of Wight in early June 2013. Encompassing five countries including France, Spain, Portugal and Monaco and with eleven stopovers, host ports and cities include Brest, Les Sables D’olonne, Santander, La Coruna, Cascais, Portimao, Marbella, Alicante, Barcelona, Marseilles and, of course, Monaco.

Last run in 1972, the race has already attracted worldwide interest and a full race entry list of 50 teams/boats with another 20 in reserve from 11 countries, including two teams from the USA.  With each leg anywhere between 180 and 300 nautical miles, boats will be at sea for up to seven hours each day, making this a race for the truly brave and not for the feint hearted.  Alongside the grand prix racers, the organisers are also planning a motor cruiser rally for large cruisers and have 5 participants already lined up to enter.

Speaking at the launch, Mike Lloyd, Event Director and organiser of the successful 2008 Round Britain Powerboat Race spoke of his aspirations for the race.

“This race is of epic proportions and a challenge for all who love powerboats and the sea.  An adventure not equalled anywhere in the world for powerboat racers.  This race is tough on the crews and tough on the boats, 2,400 miles of hard offshore racing in big oceanic seas over fourteen days, this is an endurance race with no equal.”

Craig Barrie of the American Manufacturer Donzi Marine has stated,

“The modern racing world has never seen an event like this, a gruelling, open-ocean race that spans the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Portugal, before crossing the Straits of Gibraltar and running up the Mediterranean Sea to Monte Carlo.”

As to the races history in 1972, at a time of a serious recession in the U.K. the race took place with some 22 contestants over fourteen days and 2,700 miles. The winner eventually crossed the finishing line in Monaco to be presented with the London Monte-Carlo Gold Cup by Rainier III, Prince of Monaco and his wife HRH Princess Grace of Monaco.  This event has been recognised internationally as the longest and toughest offshore powerboat race in the world and a challenge and adventure for those taking part unequalled within the International Offshore Powerboat Race Scene.
The Organisers, MPA Powerboat Events Limited, a company formed to run the Cowes Monte-Carlo Powerboat Grand Prix – 2013 is run by three Directors, Mike Lloyd, Peter Myles and Alan Goodwin.  Together in 2008 and with limited funding, they organised and ran the Round Britain Powerboat Race with 47 boats eventually crossing the starting line.  The race was considered a great success and effectively started Marathon Racing again within the U.K.  Large fleets now participate in races such as the famous 180 nautical mile nonstop Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race which Mike, Peter and Alan organised and brought back to life in 2008 and 2009 after over a decade.