Offshore Glory and a New Champion Crowned

Victory at Last: Good Boy Vodka Takes the Crown

Good Boy Vodka, a 52-foot Outerlimits SV52, crossed the finish line in a commanding 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 26 seconds, speeding home at an average of 92.5 mph. Skippered by Rob Lockyer with Americans Alex Pratt, Kirk Britto, and Tim Linden aboard, the team executed a textbook race—stalking the leaders early before striking when others slipped. Their patience and precision secured them the coveted Beaverbrook Trophy and ended Silverline’s long-running dominance in one fell swoop.


Silverline’s Reign Ends — A New Order Rises

For years, Silverline, under Drew Langdon and Miles Jennings, has been the team to beat at Cowes–Torquay–Cowes. But in 2025, the pattern finally cracked. They still made the podium, but in third place—clocking 2 hours, 30 minutes, and 3 seconds—a result that spoke volumes of the changing tides in offshore racing.


The Charge From Airos Developments GoGPS

Occupying second place was Airos Developments GoGPS, helmed by Gary Aldington and Tom Gardner. Their machine looked strong throughout—right until a mechanical hiccup knocked them back. The penalty was costly: a second-place finish came with a time of 2 hours, 23 minutes, and 3 seconds, putting them roughly nine minutes behind Good Boy Vodka. Their effort, though, was fiercely competitive.


Mid-Fleet Performers

Completing the top seven were:

• 4th — Dry Martini

• 5th — Piston Broke

• 6th — Kiekhaefer Aeromarine III

• 7th — T25 Sunseeker

Each boat battled not just the elements, but attrition. The English Channel, as always, proved unforgiving—several competitors fell by the wayside, their dreams dashed by mechanical failure or the unrelenting sea. Among the retirees: defending champions and perennial front-runners alike.
 The Festival Reaches Beyond the Finish Line The powerboat race is the jewel in the weekend crown, but the GoGPS Cowes Powerboat Festival is more than one race. As part of a grand offshore tradition that began in 1961—the first of its kind outside the USA and now the world’s longest-running offshore powerboat race—it features two marquee challenges: the full Cowes–Torquay–Cowes circuit and the shorter Cowes–Poole–Cowes leg.
 The prestige of competing at Cowes elevated the festival, bringing in teams from across Europe and beyond, all racing for both glory and the legacy tied to the Beaverbrook Trophy—a centre piece of offshore racing heritage.

A Test of Heart, Hull, and Horizon

With waves, shifting tides, and punishing currents, this race puts both boat and crew to a brutal test. Speeds exceed 100 mph on the return leg—making it one of the fastest offshore circuits in the world. Success isn’t just about horsepower; it’s about strategy, endurance, mental resilience—and the willingness to adapt when everything goes wrong.

For Good Boy Vodka’s crew, redemption finally arrived after two previous years of heartbreak. In 2023, a gearbox failure forced retirement while near the lead. In 2024, they started strong but again failed to finish. This year, the groundwork paid off.
 Silverline and GoGPS, despite setbacks, showed their class. Silverline stayed steady despite the upset, and GoGPS proved grit in adversity. It’s a sign that Cowes powerboat racing isn’t just about who goes fastest—it’s about who keeps going when the sea bites back.

Looking Ahead

The Cowes International Powerboat Festival continues to stand as a testament to offshore racing’s enduring allure. This year’s result also signals a generational handover. Chalk it up as the moment when newcomers seized the day, and the sport shifted with them. For those following offshore powerboat racing, 2025 will be remembered as the year Good Boy Vodka finally broke through—fuelled by resilience, speed, and a fair share of fortune.

Provisional Results - GoGPS Cowes International Powerboat Festival 2025

1. Good Boy Vodka – 2:14:26

2. Airos Developments GoGPS – 2:23:03

3. Silverline – 2:30:03

4. Dry Martini

5. Piston Broke

6. Kiekhaefer Aeromarine III

7. T25 Sunseeker