Date Added: 2008-08-18

THE power boat championship in Liverpool came to a dramatic end when the city team’s boat spectacularly flipped in choppy conditions.

Team Williams had raced in front of huge crowds over the weekend as part of the Honda Formula 4-Stroke event, the largest off-shore power boat series in the world.

Races took place on Saturday but the Liverpool boat flipped at 50-60mph yesterday during rough conditions on the Mersey.

Scott Williams, team front man and driver of the 225bhp Honda Cougar, was taken to hospital with a leg injury.

It was one of three boats to overturn during the races, but Team Williams navigator Ken Williams said everyone was well and his front man was expected to be fine.

Mr Williams, from north Wales, said: “We were battling with the Negotiator boat and we were in front trying to hold them off.

“It was really rough and as we turned it tipped over. The engine is broken and there’s a hole in the side of the boat.

“Two other boats also overturned. They had altered the course and taken out the chicanes and other difficulties.

“I’m hopeful we might be able to win the championship this year.”

The Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat Series made its return to the city as part of the Capital of Culture celebrations.

More than 40 Cougar race boats, 225bhp and the smaller 150bhp, took part in the penultimate round of the championship.