The second round of the 2025 New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Championship roared into action today on Lake Taupō. With high anticipation and a competitive lineup, the opening day did not disappoint, delivering intense racing, tight finishes, and a few unexpected twists.
A strong start, but not a full grid
While sixteen boats had been expected at the start line, only fourteen managed to make it, with two teams unable to get their boats to Taupō in time. Nonetheless, the turnout was solid, and conditions, though forecasted to be mild, gradually became more challenging as the day progressed. By the time the first race began at noon, the wind had built from a gentle 4km/h to a steady 8-9km/h, making for fast and close racing across all classes.
Superboat 600 Class: Espresso dominates
In the premier Superboat 600 class, Espresso established itself as the boat to beat, securing victories in both races. Rainbow Haulage followed closely, while Doric struggled with technical issues throughout the day, ultimately retiring from Race 2. The battle for second place provided some exciting moments, but Rainbow Haulage managed to hold its ground and stay consistent.
Sports Boat Battles: Supersonic takes charge
With eleven sport boats on the water, five of which competed in the Sports 200 class, the racing was tight from the outset. The opening lap saw an incredibly close battle, with Supersonic leading the charge, followed by a hard-charging The Blue Pill and Fury II from the Sports 80mph class. After 34 minutes of racing, Supersonic held off a relentless attack from The Blue Pill, with Fury II hot on their heels, finishing mere boat lengths apart. Further down the pack there was also close interclass racing with Coranto putting on a good show for the opening few laps before dropping off pace a little, handing the lead to Gold Ship.
Race 2 brought slightly rougher conditions, but the action remained just as fierce. Supersonic shot off the start line with authority, forcing The Blue Pill to give chase. However, aggressive driving into the first mark saw The Blue Pill suffer a gearcase blowout, costing valuable speed. In an effort to catch up with the motor and trim up high they unfortunately suffered a case blow out a few more times handing the opportunity for Fury II to pass and move into second. As the laps wore on, Supersonic extended its lead, comfortably taking the win, followed by Fury II in second and The Blue Pill rounding out the podium in third.
Strong debut for No Hurry, Mark Helms shows his experience
A special mention goes to the debutants in No Hurry, racing in their 150HP-powered 1750 Bullet. Sticking it out through both races, they secured a class win for the day, finishing seventh overall in the 60 Mile Championship and an impressive fourth overall in Nominated Speed. In the latter category, it was veteran Mark Helms in the loaner boat, CRD Automotive, who claimed first place—showing his son, Mike Knight in The Blue Pill, that he still has what it’s got and demonstrating that experience still counts in this high-stakes sport. Meanwhile, The Blue Pill finished sixth in Nominated Speed, adding to its mixed day on the water.
Looking ahead to Day 2
With one day of racing down, the stage is set for another thrilling showdown tomorrow. Weather conditions will play a crucial role, and teams will be making overnight adjustments to ensure they are at peak performance for Sunday’s final battles.
Stay tuned for more coverage as the Taupō round of the 2025 New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Championship continues.
