Date Added: 2009-04-27

TV Yachts, the first dedicated television channel to showcase the world’s finest sailing and motorised yachts, announces it will be the official broadcast partner for the fourth leg of the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat Series (Association) (F4SA) in Cowes, Isle of Wight, 29 – 30 August 2009.

Racing under the umbrella of the British Powerboat Racing Club (BPRC), which is responsible for famous races such as the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes, on Saturday; and under its own steam on Sunday, the Honda fleet is set to fight it out for the ultimate championship title and reign supreme as kings and queens of the sea. Hailed as the largest off-shore powerboat series in the world, the 2009 event promises more boats than ever before and is free to attend.

TV Yachts, which launched at the 2008 PSP Southampton Boat Show last September and has since covered the London International Boat Show and exhibited at the Sail, Power and Watersport Show at Earls Court, rapidly earned a reputation as the broadcast choice for all things yacht related.

Edward Brereton, TV Yachts channel coordinator, explains: “We knew TV Yachts would be a success from the start, but even we are astounded at how quickly our popularity took off. The Honda partnership is a wonderful testament to this and we look forward to an explosive weekend of adrenaline and action with the teams, as well as documenting them in the lead up to the big race.”

TV Yachts will be working with Honda’s promotions agent, Vogue PR, in order to film interviews and behind the scenes footage with the competing teams as they prepare for the tough series ahead. Taking place over five Grand Prix weekends throughout the UK, the F4SA championship is a one-design series, meaning all engines and boats are identical and modifications are strictly forbidden. As well as testing driver and navigator skills to the maximum, this also makes F4SA one of the most affordable and accessible forms of motor sport, allowing the ordinary enthusiast to compete in a competitive championship at a national level.

Abbie James, director of Vogue PR, comments: “The Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat Series will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year and will be revisiting some of the most popular race venues throughout the 2009 race tour. Cowes has been placed high on this list for the fantastic scenery, facilities and historic association with powerboat racing.”

She continues: “To help mark this occasion, TV Yachts has been approached by the F4SA to film the special event as a media partner. The Series is delighted with this backing and is keen to make a great impact on the crowds set to gather at the event in August.”

The 2009 season race calendar kicks off with the Pwllheli Grand Prix, 9 – 10 May; followed by the Plymouth Grand Prix, 20 – 21 June; Lowestoft Grand Prix 25 – 26 July; Cowes Grand Prix 29 – 30 August; and the Isle of Man Grand Prix, 19 – 20 September.

TV Yachts is broadcast on the Global Digital Broadcast (GDBTV) platform and is available online around the world, via the TVYachts.com own website and GDBTV’s Go UK TV portal; and on television sets via the Something TV service in the UnitedKingdom and the IPQube service in Canada.