Pegasus-Vortex Gemini Zapcat Racing team

Zapcat National Championship Race Team

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LATEST NEWS

Tuesday 24th June 2008

This weekend RYA 2007 National Zapcat Champions Michael Pritchard (Pilot, Southampton) and Barry Minns (Co-Pilot, Christchurch) will be racing on the Pegasus Vortex Racing’s Co-pilots home territory as they compete in the Bournemouth Zapcat Grand Prix.

Team PVR will see themselves battle it out in rounds 5 & 6 of the National Championship in the hopes of making it a hat trick of Grand Prix titles this season so far and a clean sweep of gold medals to date in the championship.

However it will be no easy ride for them as they will be competing against 30 other teams for the Bournemouth Grand Prix title and during the past 2 seasons of racing together Bournemouth is statistically their worst event. In 2006 Bournemouth Grand Prix Co-pilot Baz Minns received a complete battering from mother nature’s rough conditions forcing him to drop out of the Sundays competition. When asked whether he was nervous of the conditions Bournemouth could produce for them this weekend he replied “Bournemouth always produces interesting racing as you never know what conditions we will receive, the swells and wind can turn out testing racing. Two years ago I took a real battering, last year we just missed out on the Grand Prix but this year we’re ready for it. We’ve been sponsored by Skins™ BioAcceleration Technology™ clothing, which enables our bodies to perform and recuperate better during the days racing.”

The Zapcat National Champions Team PVR have won every round of the competition this year to date but their two closest rivals are also local teams used to the conditions Team Commando Predator and Team Vortex.

Pilot Mick Pritchard spends a lot of time in the boat practising and taking out corporate clients for their Sponsors Vortex Events, he believes this is a contributing factor as to why they are National Champions and doing so well this year so far. “Zapcat Racing is just like every other sport, the more you practise the better you become, I spend a lot of time in the boat in varying conditions pushing it to it’s limits and my own. Being a one design class we’re not allowed to make modifications to our boats so learning about the boat and what you can do in it through practise is a vital part of being good.”

Bournemouth is a superb location for Zapcat Racing, the action takes place right next to the pier so spectators can view all the exploits up close and personal on the golden sandy beaches. Racing will commence at 12noon on Saturday 28^th and Sunday 29^th June 2008.

Monday 16th June 2008

Kings of Surf Conquer Cornwall again

Last weekend saw 25 Zapcat teams head to the Surf resort of Watergate Bay, Newquay for Rounds 3 & 4 of the Zapcat National Championship and the first two rounds of the coveted King of Surf competition. Amongst the 25 were current Kings of Surf and Zapcat National Champions from 2007 Pegasus Vortex Racing Mick Pritchard and Baz Minns.

2007 saw team PVR clinch the Zapcat Kings of Surf title by securing a straight clean sweep of four gold medals in the 2007 rounds at Watergate Bay a title their eager to retain. To the seasoned racers the first glance of the beach at Watergate Bay was somewhat disappointing, the sets were messy and the legendary swell that Zapcat racing at Watergate Bay is renowned for had not put in an appearance. Whilst the seasoned racers hope for the swell to increase the steady 15 knot onshore wind would still give them challenging racing and with 8 rookie teams amongst the pack the racing would be anything but boring.

Each team would complete in 5 arduous heats to battle it out for a place in each divisions 9 boat final. Team PVR read the waves well all day securing their place in the final in pole position. Joining them was rivals Commando Predator Bligh Julius and Simon Butters and PVR team mates Vortex racing’s Craig Davis and Rob Martin. PVR and Commando Predator got off to a storming start with Vortex and Team BladeRun’s Tristan Haigh and Mike Hammer hot on their heals. The lead changed several times and whilst Commando Predator and Vortex Racing battled it out towards the Back straight team PVR took a clean line through the surf to take the final lead change and speed through to take the Gold Medal position, with Vortex taking second and after a controversial stewards enquiry Commando Predator took third from Team Bladerun.

Co-pilot Baz Minns commented “the one thing that gave us (PVR) an edge over the other teams was the new kit supplied to us by Skins - as one of this year’s new sponsors, they have given us a full set of race and recovery clothing.” He continued “this means that when the wind and tide were against us, we could still have an advantage as the Skins BioAcceleration Technology™allows us to race harder and then assists our recovery period between heats meaning we’re ready to race again faster than other teams, and at an event like Watergate this becomes more apparent as the weekend goes on and various crews started to pick up the odd knock and bruise.”

Sundays racing saw stronger winds and a more powerful swell producing a harsh shore dump which created problems for even the more vigorous teams to control their Zapcats on the start line. But Mick and Baz were confident that they could produce another winning result feeling rejuvenated from the Saturdays win after an evening in Skins recovery products the team were fighting fit and ready to take on the challenge ahead of them.

Sundays practise gave a few Zapcat teams a taste of what was ahead of them for the day as they flipped or lost co-pilots in the surf. Sundays division 2 final was without incident that saw 3 restarts leaving just 3 teams to battle it out for the podium places. Seavation Vortex’s Dan Smith and Nathan Parker took on the might of the team Royal Marines Zapcat Association Nick Clarke and Tim Johnson that went down to a photo finish that gave Nick and Tim the Win by a nose. Leaving Charlie Brickle and Adam Bushrod in team Nine Lives secure the final place with engine problems that had hampered them all day.

Meanwhile in the Division 1 final the usual suspects where lining up to battle it out with each other along with the newly promoted rookie team of Blue Sheets/Boat Register James and Nial Hoddinott taking the second grid position in the line up. Team PVR got off to a flying start and team mates Vortex Racing and team Bladerun following in their wake, but usual front runners Commando Predator falling back the fleet with engine problems. Pilot Tristan Haigh of Bladerun seeing his chance of a first Gold podium this season tried to take team PVR on the inside straight but Mick and Baz held them off to secure their second win of the weekend and 4th consecutive win of the Championship this year. Team Bladerun Secured second and Craig Davis and Rob Martin of Team Vortex took the Bronze medal position.

Pilot Mick Pritchard commented that “It’s fantastic to have taken another two Gold medals at Watergate Bay, we love racing in the surf. I think I’ve cracked a rib today but you expect the occasional injury racing in these conditions” Team PVR were awarded the winners title for the Watergate Bay Grand Prix “The 200 championship points we received for this Grand Prix will really help us later in the season, there are some quick boats out there this year and team Bladerun and Vortex showed us that today, but I still had a bit in reserve and held my line to take the win”

Monday 19th may 2008

Pegasus Vortex Racing storm home for an early Championship lead at Stokes Bay!

26 Zapcats lined up on Stokes Bay for the inaugural rounds of the 2008 Zapcat National Championship this weekend. Amongst them 2007 Zapcat National Champions Pegasus Vortex were set to make an impact early on in the season as they got off to a fantastic start in their campaign to retain the Championship title.
Pegasus Vortex Racing got off to a superb start as they romped home to take first in their opening heat of Saturday’s racing. Securing a further two first finishes and two 2^nd heat scores saw them firmly in the final with the second position on the grid.
As the final started they got off to a flying start, for the Start boat to Flag for a restart due to a false start amongst the pack. The second start of the final saw Pegasus Vortex quick off the mark to take an early lead with friendly adversaries Team Predator and Team Suffolk hot on their heels, in what was set to be a closely fought battle to the podium positions.
Pegasus Vortex held their line as they clashed with Predator’s Bligh Julius and Simon Butters to take the Gold medal of the day, with Predator in silver and Team Suffolk’s new pairing of Father Greg Richardson and Daughter Adelle following them in, in the bronze medal position.

Co-pilot Baz Minns commented on their win “It’s always fantastic to win! Especially when the competition in the fleet is getting better all the time. It was important for us to get a good start to the season as we really want to retain the title.” He continued to say “But every event is a game of two halves and what you really want to walk away with is the Grand Prix for the weekend. Tomorrow’s racing will be even more intense as the teams get more confident and Predator will certainly be out to prove they can beat us. But we’re confident in these conditions and look to improve on our performance today”
As they headed into Sundays Racing Stokes Bay was basked in sunshine and the crowds lined the beaches to watch the action unfold. Pegasus Vortex knew Team Predator would be just one Zapcat hot on in their wake hoping to stop them secure the double win of the weekend and take the Stokes Bay Grand Prix.
Although the Sun was out it had brought with it a gusting wind that would make conditions more interesting in the Solent Waters, with new sponsor’s Predator Technology and Skins onboard with them the team were set for the varied conditions they could expect from the day.

Pegasus Vortex battled it out throughout their heats to secure 4 out of 5 first place finishes in their heats along with a second taking them into pole position for the final of the day. But right behind them were strong rivals Bligh and Simon in team Predator looking to take the upper hand in the final.

Pegasus Vortex and Predator both got off to a phenomenal start in the final with not even a boat length separating them for the first 2 laps. Looking to make an advantage Predator decided to take their pit lap early on pitting on their third lap in attempt to get some clear water between them and the National Champions, on re-entering the main racing course Predator got held up by the rest of the fleet, whilst Pegasus Vortex pulled away in clean water to extend their lead and opting to keep the clean water and pit on their final lap with a secure enough lead to take the Gold medal again, Predator came home in silver with team Bladerun of <personnamew:ston>Tristan Haigh and Mike Hammer slotting into the bronze medal position after a difficult days racing.

Two Gold Medal spots means that Pegasus Vortex took the Stokes Bay Grand Prix trophy of the weekend and with it an all important 200 points towards their championship campaign and a 20 point lead over the closest rivals.

The championship now moves on to Watergate Bay in Newquay on the 14^th & 15^th June where Mick and Baz will aim to keep up their winning streak and improve their lead in the first 2 rounds of the King of Surf Competition.

Thursday 24th April 2008

Championship Dates Announced

17^th & 18^th May – Rounds 1 & 2 - Stokes Bay Grand Prix

14^th & 15^th June – Rounds 3 & 4 - Watergate Bay Grand Prix

28^th & 29^th June – Rounds 5 & 6 -Bournemouth Grand Prix

26^th & 27^th July – Rounds 7 & 8, Venue TBC (early next week)

9^th & 10^th August – Rounds 9 & 10 - TBC

30^th & 31^st August – Rounds 11 & 12 - Bournemouth Grand Prix

19^th & 20^th September – Rounds 13 & 14 - Watergate Bay Grand Prix

20^th September – End of Season Awards Dinner

To recieve News Updates of how Pegasus Vortex gets on Sign Up by sending an email to Nicola@pegasus-vortex.co.uk and put News in the Subject Line

Tuesday 22nd April 2008

Pegasus Vortex attack Zapcat Championship with Predator Technology

2007 National Champions Pegasus Vortex racing are this year launching their assault on the Zapcat 2008 Championship with a new partner.

Zapcat Racing has announced that the 2008 National Championship will begin on the 17^th & 18^th May at Stokes Bay in Gosport. Stokes Bay a popular location for Zapcat racing due to it’s steep sloping waters, and unpredictable Solent swells, will see the Southampton based team mount a strong start to their third year of racing together.

Rookie Champions in 2006, and 2007 National Champions and Zapcat Kings of Surf Pegasus Vortex racing will be hoping to get the season off to a superb start in the inaugural round of the 2008 campaign. Pilot Mick Pritchard, manager of the Hire Station Southampton, and Co-pilot Baz Minns a printer for Newsquest Southampton can’t wait for the season to get under way. Their new look Zapcat will arrive with them this month and they will put it through its paces when they take part in the Blade Run UK over the May Bank Holiday weekend as a shake down for the season

Predator Technology the latest innovative design in helmet cameras will be on board with Mick and Baz for every step of their 2008 campaign. Predator Technology’s Predator VX360 is the only fully waterproof, wearable digital video system on the market and will allow Pegasus Vortex to share the thrill of their ride with the world. The VX360 was designed specifically for extreme adventure, using a solid state memory with no moving parts, jolting, jarring and persistent vibration is all taken in it’s stride. The Predator VX360’s outer case is also designed and built to withstand impact that body and standard gear cannot.

Pulling in excess of 2G’s in a corner and punching through 10ft of relentless surf Pilot Mick Pritchard knows it’s important to have equipment that can handle the pressure and won’t let them down “We’ve tried other cameras and they just don’t last. We race in the extremist of conditions we need to know that all of our equipment on board is up to the task just as we are.”

Co-pilot Baz Minns tells of the excitement of being able to show people exactly what they experience whilst racing “The unit is very impressive and not obtrusive in anyway, with other cameras you have loads of cable and need to be able to store the recording unit at the back of the boat in a secure location.” He continues “The VX360 is actually designed to be small and light enough for me to wear the recording unit on my arm whilst the camera is mounted on my race helmet, so when we go over the crest of a 12ft wave and I’m right at the front of the boat that’s exactly where the camera will be, the footage will be awesome!”

Jon Porter explains why they’re backing the team this year with their product “Predator Technology Ltd is extremely excited to be supporting Pegasus Vortex in their 2008 campaign to retain their well deserved title.” Business partner Wayne Jennings adds “During the season we will be optimizing the Predator VX360 wearable waterproof digital video system so that both Mick and Baz can show the world what being at the top of the Zapcat Championship looks like from their point of view.”

Tuesday 25^th March 2008

Zapcat National Champions Take on Blade Run UK

The 2007 Zapcat National Champions today announced that they would be competing in the inaugural Blade Run UK rally this May.

The last few years the Blade Run has taken competitors from London to places like Amsterdam and Deauville and now due to popular demand this year Blade Run UK will be thundering along the Solent from Cowes to Brighton and back to Cowes and Pegasus Vortex Racing will be going along for the ride.

Blade Run UK shares it’s UK Offices with one of the Zapcat National Champion’s Sponsors, Vortex Racing a specialist company that delivers Powerboat Corporate experiences and activity days.

Pilot Mick Pritchard of Hamble is excited that they’ll be competing in the rally and says ”The UK Blade Run will be a fantastic event both on and off the water” he continues “We’re still awaiting confirmation of the first date of the Zapcat season so what better way is there for us to put ourselves and the new boat through it’s paces than to join the Blade Run UK!”

The formidable duo of Mick and Co-pilot Baz Minns of Bournemouth will be using the Rally as a shake down for the racing season ahead. The team will be heading into their 3^rd season of racing together after their partnership started in the 2006 Brighton Zapcat Grand Prix.

“Mick’s co-pilot had to drop out and I’d gone along to watch and got asked if I’d stand in” reminisces Baz “We won our first ever race with me in the boat and I was hooked! We then went on to take the 2006 Rookie Championship title and 2007 saw us clinch the double title of Zapcat National Champions and Kings of Surf. If we can take a respectable finish in the Blade Run UK it will put us in a fantastic position for the season ahead of us. I cant wait!”

The Blade Run UK will start in Southampton on Friday 2^nd May with an exclusive launch party that the Rally is famous for, before the teams head to the Solent Start line of the Saturday morning.

February 2008

Toploader guitarist hooked on Zapcats

Dan Hipgrave former guitarist from the indie band Toploader, now a freelance journalist and presenter came down to Southampton last week to find out all about Zapcats from Vortex Racing.

Dan joined Championship winner Mick Pritchard as his co-pilot for the morning whilst Craig Davis and Baz Minns accompanied them on the water in the Vortex Racing Zapcats.

Although cold, the weather was exceptional and Dan had a fantastic time progressing from slightly apprehensive to a true convert even taking control of the tiller himself at the end of the session.

Dan had a fantastic time and was very interested in the National Championship and how we ran our Zapcat events, from someone who not seen or heard of a Zapcat before he was totally hooked at the end.

Monday 4th February 2008 – NUTS TV 11pm Channel 42 on Freeview and 207 Sky TV

Wednesday 6th February 2008 – London Lite magazine feature – part of the Evening Standard

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