Sporting shorts

Powering up

The Rotoiti Powerboat Club’s 2025 regatta is set to be “bigger and better than ever” according to event organisers. The roar of powerboats will resonate across the National Park waters of Lake Rotoiti on Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9.

Club spokesman Joe Blakiston says there will be a lot of interest in the GP Hydroplane division, with the final round of the Hydro Thunder series being held at the event and promising thrilling viewing.

South Island hopes rest with Christchurch-based Raymond Hart in Thunderstruck, the round two winner, and Jason Haggerty from Te Anau, in Lady Liz.

A full schedule of races is scheduled, from the popular clubman class to the flat bottom and tunnel hull races and the Formula 1 Series final round.

Besides the on-water action, on each day a fighter plane display from the Blenheim-based Yak 3 “Steadfast “will take place in the lunch break.

Athletic success

Marlborough’s athletes have competed out of town recently, with considerable success.

At the Cooks Classic in Wanganui, both James Hansen and DJ Arbuckle recorded personal bests. James finished second in the 400m hurdles in a time of 53.90, a new PB, and won the 400m final in 50.01, a season’s best. DJ’s high jump PB of 2.02m placed him fifth in an event won by Olympic champion Hamish Kerr who cleared 2.19m. The meet was New Zealand’s first @worldathletics Continental Tour Bronze meet of the year.

Meanwhile the Masters athletes took part in the South Island Masters at Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub. The local stand-out was Remy Le Brun who broke two South Island Masters records in the M35 Age Group, subject to ratification. He registered a time of 11.69 for the 100m and 23.91 for the 200m.