POWERBOAT RACES GUERNSEY 1988
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 8:19 pm
In 1987 Guernsey was the venue for an extremely successful international Powerboat Week. So impressed was the hierarchy of the sport that the island was selected to host this year’s World Class One and Two Offshore Championships.
Four stamps were released to mark this important event.
The port of St Peter Port is one of the most picturesque in Europe and provides an ideal base for water sport of all kinds. As may be seen from the map on the 35p stamp, a natural arena for racing is provided by the south-east corner of Guernsey and by the island of Sark and Herm.
The total distance covered by this year’s main races is marked in red on a section of Admiralty Chart No 2669; this is Crown Copyright and is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
The three remaining stamps illustrate aspects of powerboating in Guernsey waters and are based on events held locally over recent years. The attractive town of St Peter Port forms the backdrop to the start of all races (32p). The hydrofoil in the distance normally plies between the islands and England and France. During Powerboat Weeks the craft acts as official starting boat (most probably one of the Condor ferries), the person responsible being positioned at the stern. This type of vessel is ideal for the event as it provides the high speed necessary (up to 40 knots) combined with a stable platform for officials. As a hydrofoil accelerates the foils which act like aircraft wings but underwater give a powerful lift until the hull is clear of the water, thus reducing resistance and increasing speed to twice that of a conventional ferry.
A further important element of the 32p stamp denomination as well as of the 16p showing Jethou in the distance, is the Royal Navy Rescue helicopter. The safety of competitor’s spectators and organisers must be the priority in a high speed event such as powerboating. In addition to the Wessex helicopter from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall which is present for the week there are in attendance the local RNLI Arun class lifeboat and the St John Ambulance’s launch FLYING CHRISTINE.
The course shown on the top value represents that for the World Championship events. During Powerboat Week other prestigious races are held, including those for the Guernsey Cold and Cruiser Championships. Since speed is somewhat reduced for the latter, craft will be allowed to race through the spectacular Gouliot Passage which separates Sark from Brecqhou: this manoeuvre is shown on the 30p.
Source: Guernsey Post info leaflet.
Guernsey 1988 16/35p sg429/32, scott389/92.
Stanley Gibbons catalogue Collect Ships on Stamps gives the following names on the powerboats depict, have not any details on the craft.
16p depict COUGAR (no 25), ROCKY (no 45) and ANNABELLA (no 77). SG gives no 37 for the ANNABELLA which is wrong.
30p depict PAUL PICOT and other powerboats which are not identified.
32p depict SUPERCAT (no 88), COUGAR (no 25) and other powerboats and a hydrofoil.
Four stamps were released to mark this important event.
The port of St Peter Port is one of the most picturesque in Europe and provides an ideal base for water sport of all kinds. As may be seen from the map on the 35p stamp, a natural arena for racing is provided by the south-east corner of Guernsey and by the island of Sark and Herm.
The total distance covered by this year’s main races is marked in red on a section of Admiralty Chart No 2669; this is Crown Copyright and is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
The three remaining stamps illustrate aspects of powerboating in Guernsey waters and are based on events held locally over recent years. The attractive town of St Peter Port forms the backdrop to the start of all races (32p). The hydrofoil in the distance normally plies between the islands and England and France. During Powerboat Weeks the craft acts as official starting boat (most probably one of the Condor ferries), the person responsible being positioned at the stern. This type of vessel is ideal for the event as it provides the high speed necessary (up to 40 knots) combined with a stable platform for officials. As a hydrofoil accelerates the foils which act like aircraft wings but underwater give a powerful lift until the hull is clear of the water, thus reducing resistance and increasing speed to twice that of a conventional ferry.
A further important element of the 32p stamp denomination as well as of the 16p showing Jethou in the distance, is the Royal Navy Rescue helicopter. The safety of competitor’s spectators and organisers must be the priority in a high speed event such as powerboating. In addition to the Wessex helicopter from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall which is present for the week there are in attendance the local RNLI Arun class lifeboat and the St John Ambulance’s launch FLYING CHRISTINE.
The course shown on the top value represents that for the World Championship events. During Powerboat Week other prestigious races are held, including those for the Guernsey Cold and Cruiser Championships. Since speed is somewhat reduced for the latter, craft will be allowed to race through the spectacular Gouliot Passage which separates Sark from Brecqhou: this manoeuvre is shown on the 30p.
Source: Guernsey Post info leaflet.
Guernsey 1988 16/35p sg429/32, scott389/92.
Stanley Gibbons catalogue Collect Ships on Stamps gives the following names on the powerboats depict, have not any details on the craft.
16p depict COUGAR (no 25), ROCKY (no 45) and ANNABELLA (no 77). SG gives no 37 for the ANNABELLA which is wrong.
30p depict PAUL PICOT and other powerboats which are not identified.
32p depict SUPERCAT (no 88), COUGAR (no 25) and other powerboats and a hydrofoil.