Ocean Cup World Speed Record competitions are designed for sea worthy, offshore craft capable of undertaking independent, extended offshore passages in unprotected waters. 

 

First recognized as a sport in 1904, offshore powerboat racing began as point-to-point, endurance races frequently spanning hundreds of miles of open ocean. In the mid-1990s, offshore became near-shore racing in a track style format, a circuit loop around which boats raced for a number of pre-determined laps. This improved the viewing for the spectators.

 

During the years, the near-shore course has gotten smaller and shorter. Today a race course is normally a small 5-mile oval as close to the beach as possible. Since the beach drops off quickly, the boats usually run within 150 feet of the surf. Even the outside leg can be clearly seen from the shoreline.

 

The Harmsworth Trophy (1932) https://youtu.be/6ZqYgy0g67o

 

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