Guido Cappellini will not defend his title at the 73rd Raid Pavia-Venezia. Organisers confirmed his absence at the official press launch, held at the Associazione Motonautica Pavia last Friday.
The ten-time F1 World Champion set a new course record at last year’s race but is committed with Team Abu Dhabi at the F1H2O Regione Sardegna Grand Prix of Italy.
The 73rd edition was confirmed for May 31 last November. Entries opened in January, with the field scrutineered and briefed at Pavia on May 29 and 30 before race day.
Borelli Trophy
Association President Enrico Beltramelli paid tribute at the launch to Ruggero Borelli, a long-serving organiser and former competitor who died last year. A trophy in his name will be awarded for the first time at this edition. The Organising Committee will confirm the criteria before the start.
Start Confirmed at Pavia
Water levels and current flow on the Ticino River will allow the race to start from its traditional location at the Associazione Motonautica Pavia’s pontoon on Strada Canarazzo. Organisers had not entirely ruled out moving the start downstream, but current conditions make it unnecessary.
The professional tracking system used in last year’s edition will return. Spectators can follow every competitor’s position in real time via the race’s official website.
Finish and Awards
The course finishes for all participants at the Club Nautico Marina del Sole in Chioggia, where results will be published at 18:00 local time. The top five overall and the top three in each class will then travel in convoy into the Venice Lagoon, with the awards ceremony at the 7th Salone Nautico di Venezia at the Arsenale.
Every competitor who completes the 414-kilometre course will receive a Finisher medal at Chioggia on arrival, regardless of final classification. It is the first time the award has been introduced.
Riso Scotti Presenting Sponsor
Riso Scotti joins the 73rd edition as Presenting Sponsor. Owner Dario Scotti attended the launch.
Dario Scotti, Riso Scotti:
“Supporting the Raid Pavia-Venezia means championing a heritage of sport, tradition and identity deeply rooted in our territory. For us in Pavia, the Raid is much more than a sporting competition – it unites communities, people and passions along a route that tells the history and soul of our places. Events like this create connections between institutions, businesses and citizens, contributing to a visibility that for nearly a century has belonged to the Italian sporting and cultural heritage.”
FIM President Giorgio Viscione also attended, describing the Raid as one of the most interesting and attractive events in powerboat racing, and expressing hope that the race’s appeal would draw new generations to the sport.
Programme
| Session | Local time (CEST, UTC+2) | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 29 – Scrutineering, Pavia | ||
| Administrative and Technical Scrutineering | 10:00-12:30 | 09:00-11:30 (BST) |
| Administrative and Technical Scrutineering | 14:30-18:00 | 13:30-17:00 (BST) |
| City Boat Parade | 17:00-19:00 | 16:00-18:00 (BST) |
| Saturday, May 30 – Scrutineering, Pavia | ||
| Administrative and Technical Scrutineering | 09:00-15:00 | 08:00-14:00 (BST) |
| Pilots’ Briefing | 17:30 | 16:30 (BST) |
| Sunday, May 31 – Race Day | ||
| Departures from Pavia | 07:00-12:00 | 06:00-11:00 (BST) |
| Results Published – Club Nautico Marina del Sole, Chioggia | 18:00 | 17:00 (BST) |
| Prize-Giving – Arsenale di Venezia | from 18:30 | from 17:30 (BST) |
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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.
