Last Tuesday (May 27), the SpiritBARTech F35 completed the first electric powered challenge for the Harmsworth Trophy, crossing the finish line in Poole in 1 hour 36 minutes 53 seconds at an average speed of 30.35 knots. Skipper Simon Schofield and his crew departed Poole Harbour at 5.30am, covered the outward leg to Cowes in 47 minutes 59 seconds and returned in 48 minutes 54 seconds following a recharging stop in Cowes.
The SpiritBARTech F35
The F35 is a collaboration between Spirit Yachts and BAR Technologies in Portsmouth. The fully foiling motor launch combines traditional wooden boatbuilding techniques with modern carbon epoxy lamination to keep weight to a minimum. The foiling system draws directly on BAR Technologies’ work developing technology for the America’s Cup.
Simon Schofield, skipper of the SpiritBARTech F35, said:
“This was a great run in perfect conditions, and we feel we have set a time which will be difficult to beat this year.”
He continued:
“The F35 is a spectacular boat using state of the art technology developed by the brilliant BAR Tech in Portsmouth and has moved foiling electric boats to a new level and we look forward to seeing many more similar vessels on the water in the future.”
The oldest motorboat racing trophy in existence
The British International Harmsworth Trophy dates to 1903, making it the oldest motorboat racing trophy in existence. Often described as the America’s Cup of motorboats, it has been won by names including Sir Thomas Sopwith, Garfield Wood, Stefano Casiraghi and Fabio Buzzi.
The trophy lay dormant after Markus Hendricks won it in 2011 in his vintage offshore racer Cinzano. In 2025 the Trustees announced a new electric challenge format, re-dedicating the trophy to its founding purpose of encouraging design and technical innovation, with fossil fuels replaced by electric power. The course is a time trial between Poole and Cowes, open to any electrically powered vessel.
David Macey, Chairman of the Harmsworth Trophy Trustees, said:
“This was a wonderful start to the new future of the British International Harmsworth Trophy, and our congratulations go to Simon and the team of the inaugural challenge. Our special thanks go to The Royal Yacht Squadron for their help at the Cowes finish and Salterns Marina for hosting the SpiritBARTech F35 and providing launch and charging facilities.”
Macey continued:
“Thanks also to Wessex Marine for providing our committee boat and the event could not have taken place without the help of both Poole and Cowes Harbour Masters for which we are extremely grateful. We now look forward to our next challenge for this magnificent Trophy.”
Harmsworth Trophy: Previous Winners
| Year | Driver | Nation | Boat | Venue | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1903 | Selwyn Francis Edge | Great Britain | Napier I | Queenstown, Ireland | 19.53 mph |
| 1904 | Henri Brasier | France | Trefle-a-Quatre | Solent, England | 26.63 mph |
| 1905 | John Scott-Montagu | Great Britain | Napier II | Arcachon, France | 26.03 mph |
| 1906 | Lord Montagu / Lionel de Rothschild | Great Britain | Yarrow Napier | Solent, England | 15.48 mph |
| 1907 | Barkley Pearce | USA | Dixie I | Solent, England | 31.78 mph |
| 1908 | Barkley Pearce | USA | Dixie II | Huntington Bay, NY | 36.11 mph |
| 1910 | Fred Burnham | USA | Dixie III | Huntington Bay, NY | 36.04 mph |
| 1911 | Fred Burnham | USA | Dixie IV | Huntington Bay, NY | 40.28 mph |
| 1912 | Tommy Sopwith Snr | Great Britain | Maple Leaf IV | Huntington Bay, NY | 43.18 mph |
| 1913 | Tommy Sopwith Snr | Great Britain | Maple Leaf IV | Osborne Bay, England | 56.45 mph |
| 1920 | Gar Wood | USA | Miss America I | Osborne Bay, England | 61.51 mph |
| 1921 | Gar Wood | USA | Miss America II | Detroit River, MI | 59.75 mph |
| 1926 | Gar Wood | USA | Miss America V | Detroit River, MI | 61.11 mph |
| 1928 | Gar Wood | USA | Miss America VII | Detroit River, MI | 59.41 mph |
| 1929 | Gar Wood | USA | Miss America VIII | Detroit River, MI | 75.28 mph |
| 1930 | Gar Wood | USA | Miss America IX | Detroit River, MI | 77.10 mph |
| 1931 | George Wood | USA | Miss America VIII | Detroit River, MI | 60.00 mph |
| 1932 | Gar Wood | USA | Miss America X | Lake St Clair, MI | 78.40 mph |
| 1933 | Gar Wood | USA | Miss America X | St Clair River, MI | 86.80 mph |
| 1949 | Stan Dollar | USA | Skip-a-Long | Detroit River, MI | 94.10 mph |
| 1950 | Lou Fageol | USA | Slo-Mo-Shun IV | Detroit River, MI | 100.60 mph |
| 1956 | Russ Schleeh | USA | Shanty I | Detroit River, MI | 90.20 mph |
| 1959 | Bob Hayward | Canada | Miss Supertest III | Lake Ontario, Canada | 104.00 mph |
| 1960 | Bob Hayward | Canada | Miss Supertest III | Lake Ontario, Canada | 116.30 mph |
| 1961 | Bob Hayward | Canada | Miss Supertest III | Lake Ontario, Canada | 100.20 mph |
| 1977 | Michael Doxford / Tim Powell | Great Britain | Limit Up | – | – |
| 1978 | Doug Bricker | Australia | Taurus | – | – |
| 1979 | Derek Pobjoy / John Frost | Great Britain | Uno Mint | – | – |
| 1980 | Bill Elswick | USA | Long Shot | – | – |
| 1981 | Bill Clauser | USA | Satisfaction | – | – |
| 1982 | Al Copeland | USA | Popeyes | – | – |
| 1983 | George Morales | USA | Fayva Shoes | – | – |
| 1989 | Stefano Casiraghi | Monaco | Gancia dei Gancia | Atlantic City, USA | – |
| 1993 | Daniel Scioli | Argentina | La Nueva | Cowes, England | 91.60 mph |
| 1994 | Andreas Ove Ugland | Norway | BP Marine | Cowes, England | 51.30 mph |
| 1995 | Hannes Bohinc | Austria | Admiral Casino Tivoli | Cowes, England | 86.56 mph |
| 2002 | Roberto Buonomo / Tommaso de Simone | Italy | Super Classic 40 | Cowes, England | 52.40 mph |
| 2003 | Hannes Bohinc | Austria | Wettpunkt.com | Poole & Cowes, England | 78.00 mph |
| 2004 | Fabio Buzzi / Lord Beaverbrook | Italy | Grand Argentina SONY | Cowes, England | 75.93 mph |
| 2010 | Fabio Buzzi / Simon Powell | Italy / Great Britain | Red FPT | Cowes, England | 59.58 mph |
| 2011 | Markus Hendricks | Germany | Cinzano | Cowes, England | 65.26 mph |
What Happens Next
The Harmsworth Trophy will be awarded in November 2026 to the fastest electrically powered boat to complete the Poole-Cowes-Poole course during the season. The SpiritBARTech F35’s time of 1 hour 36 minutes 53 seconds at 30.35 knots is the benchmark any challenger must beat.
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.
