The 100th Masport Cup rematch at Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel, held on March 29-30, 2025, marked an exciting return to the high-speed world of hydroplanes and powerboats after a dramatic cancellation in February. The event saw a fiercely competitive field, with defending champion David Alexander in Miss Waverley fighting to retain his title, and it was an intense weekend of racing that left the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Saturday’s thrills and the Masport Cup
Saturday’s racing at Lake Ruataniwha was marked by an early fog that delayed the start of the action. However, as the fog cleared, the boats were ready to roar into action. The crowds began to trickle in, all eager to witness some of the best powerboating talent in New Zealand. The day’s main attraction was undoubtedly the Masport Cup, which brought together over ten competitors for an intense showdown.
The Lucas Oil NZ Hydro Thunder time trials set the stage for what was to come. With an impressive performance, Ken Lupton took the top spot, clocking a time of 33.34 seconds, followed by Jason Haggerty at 35.06 seconds. Jack Lupton rounded out the top three with a time of 35.19 seconds. The qualifying heats of both the Hydro Thunder series and the Masport Cup took place later in the day. There is no doubt that these hydrothunder boats are built for power, speed, and precision.
As the day progressed, the racing heated up. The results of the Masport Cup Heats 1 and 2 determined the finalists for the prestigious trophy. Ken Lupton was the standout performer, taking the victory in Heat 1 and finishing second in Heat 2. His consistency and speed saw him secure the 100th Anniversary Masport Cup, much to the delight of his supporters. Congratulations Ken!
Jason Haggerty, meanwhile, showed grit and determination, clinching the second spot overall with a win in Heat 2. Scott Coker, who also demonstrated impressive speed and control throughout the event, rounded out the top three with his consistent performance in both heats.
Sunday’s showdown
Sunday’s racing started with a bang, as the Lucas Oil NZ Hydro Thunder time trials confirmed the top contenders once again. Ken Lupton retained his top spot with a time of 33.34 seconds, followed by Haggerty in second place at 35.06 seconds. With the table set for the day, the spotlight shifted to the Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Series finals, a highly anticipated event that saw a thrilling conclusion to the weekend’s competition.
Andrew Tate, who had been making steady progress throughout the series, emerged victorious in the Lucas Oil NZ Hydro Thunder Series Twizel final. In an intense showdown that had fans on their feet, Tate edged out Ken Lupton in a dramatic race that saw the two boats collide mid-race. Imagine as the crowd wondered whether they were witnessing a similar outcome to the Karapiro Masport Cup race. But, thank goodness, no. Despite the collision, Tate held his nerve and powered through to take the win in the final round. This victory made it five different winners across all five rounds of the Hydro Thunder Series, making it one of the most exciting and unpredictable seasons to date.
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