BOCA RATON, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / Powerboat racing is perhaps not the most top-of-mind sport, but it certainly holds its own within American sports history. Beginning at the start of the 20th century, the Hudson River became a boat-racing venue, and thus powerboat racing began. Nowadays, of course, the sport looks much different from its humble beginnings, with thousands of spectators and life-long devoted racers. Furthermore, as one might expect, technology has vastly changed and expanded the capabilities of the race.
One of the biggest disruptors to the sport, however, occurred last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced racers to take a one-year hiatus. Powerboat racing champion Hugh D. Fuller shares his perspective as to what this break may have looked like from some racers and what we can expect from the sport as racers begin to get back out on the water professionally.
The Hiatus
Powerboat racing was no exception to the worldwide shutdown that occurred in March 2020. The timing, however, was especially unfortunate as most of the races were to occur in direct following months. Similar to Olympic athletes who were told their trip to Tokyo would be indefinitely delayed, racers were frustrated and disappointed.
As Hugh Fuller recalls, "It was very sudden. One day we were all training together on the water, and the next day everything was essentially shut down. We all experienced a mix of emotions: fear, anger, disappointment - you name it. My whole career I've never experienced anything like that."
The Return
Fortunately, as vaccines are more readily distributed and taken, more of the world is opening up. This opens the door for sports to return, including powerboat racing. A year-long break, however, is no joke, and racers must take their return to the water one day at a time.
Hugh Fuller reflects on this experience, "A lot of racers just wanted to jump right back in. Sometimes you forget that racing on the water like that is dangerous, especially when you haven't done it in a while. It took self-control to take it slow, but I can already see the sport coming back to life."
Next Steps
Now that powerboat racing is back, and races are actually taking place this summer, what does the future of the sport look like? There are exciting sustainability efforts being put forward, including completely electric boats. As electric modes of transportation become more mainstream, it is exciting to think about the future of powerboat racing and the positive effects it could have on the environment.
Hugh D. Fuller weighs in by saying, "People keep asking me what I think about these new electric boats. I always tell them, the boats have changed so much since I started racing that I wouldn't even recognize my first boat. If they can make fast boats that are good for the water and the environment, then I'm perfectly happy to support that!"
Powerboat racing has certainly come a long way since the early 1900s, even with the most recent pandemic pausing the sport for a year. As Hugh D. Fuller points out, now that racers can finally return to the water, they must take care not to dive back into the dangerous sport too fast. Finally, as technology continues to evolve, we should keep an eye out for new sustainable electric powerboats. If they have the seal of approval from Hugh Fuller, they may even be the next big thing!
Contact: Andrew Mitchell, [email protected]
SOURCE: Hugh Fuller