Vector Martini Racing, in distinctive Martini Rosso livery, successfully defended last year’s trophy by finishing first in both races, and overall, at the prestigious annual Cowes Classic Offshore Powerboat Race. The race, also known as Cowes-Torquay-Cowes is regarded as one of the toughest powerboat races in the world. The Team, consisting of experienced pilot Peter Dredge, Malcom Crease and Simon Powell, was joined by David Gandy, who competed for the first time in an official race.

This is the Vector Martini team’s second race in the UK since its launch in 2014. The sleek V40R powerboat was designed and manufactured by Vector Powerboats Inc. in Canada.

The race started from Egypt Point on the Isle of Wight and the powerboats crossed over 90 nautical miles to Torquay, before returning to finish right outside the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes. According to the race organiser, this year’s event has seen one of the best turnouts of boats, as well as spectators, who watched from hundreds of boats as well as a variety of locations along the South Coast of England.

Vector Martini Racing will continue its programme later this month with an attempt to break the UIM Cross Channel World Record from Poole to Cherbourg.

Peter Dredge, chief pilot of Vector Martini Racing said: “Vector is about marine performance and todays back-to-back win is another very credible milestone in re-establishing Vector Martini Racing as a world-class endurance racing team. We look forward to continues success later this month an attempt to break the outright Cross-Channel World Record.”

Mal Crease, Founder and CEO of Vector Martini Racing added: “We are very pleased to have successfully defended the title we won last year in our first season as Vector Martini Racing, moving up this year from B-Class to A-Class. We are also very pleased for our new partners including Porsche and Henri Lloyd.”