Maitos Konstantinos was at the wheel of Team Autovision’s Boat 5 when it left the circuit in hour seven of Race 1 at Poses. Caught by the spray of a faster boat on the island straight, he went wide and was escorted back to the pontoon by the safety RIB. Team manager Tullio Abbate, the Italian boat builder whose hulls Boat 5 races — was waiting at the bank.
Abbate had no doubts about what happened on the water.
Tullio Abbate, Team Autovision:
“They say to me it’s a big boat, a faster boat coming from the outside, and they cut him the line.”
The engine cowling took a hit — visibly dented on inspection at the pontoon. Asked whether it was repairable, Abbate did not hesitate.
Tullio Abbate:
“For sure. We try to do our best tonight to be in the water tomorrow.”
Konstantinos was treated for a wrist injury at the scene and will not race on Saturday. The team’s ambition for the rest of the weekend is unchanged.
Tullio Abbate:
“We have spare engines, we have spare parts. Let’s go if we can fix in time to start tomorrow.”
For Saturday’s shorter Race 2, Abbate outlined his crew plan.
Tullio Abbate:
“I think tomorrow on the shorter race we will use only the Cara sprints — Ian and Philippe.”
Asked how long the repairs would take:
Tullio Abbate:
“It will be for sure a white night.”
“Notte bianca” — white night — is the Italian expression for an all-nighter. No sleep, working through until dawn.
Boat 5 was eighth in the six-hour standings on 199 laps before retiring. Race 1 runs until midnight CEST.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
