TWO Dorset powerboaters are celebrating victory in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship South West area final, hosted by Poole Yacht Club.

And they are now preparing for the national final at Southampton Boat Show in September.

Competitors from Poole Yacht Club, Parkstone Yacht Club and Sandbanks Yacht Club took part in the event, which was divided into two age categories.

Frazer Burnet, eight, from Poole YC won the 8-12 group in 3.35.00, beating Oli Duvalle into second place.

This was only his second time driving a RIB, so his reaction was not surprising: “I feel extremely good. I’m very excited and I’ll need to get a lot of practice in!”

Henry Martin, 13, a member of Sandbanks YC, continued his winning streak into the 13-16 group, having won the past two consecutive years in the 8-12 age group.

He clocked a time of 1.06.50, almost a second faster than his best run last year, despite the wet and windy weather.

Henry is the younger brother of a former regional finalist Martin and is feeling confident about his chance at the national final.

Runner-up for the second year running was Callum Morton, 14, from Parkstone YC in a time of 1.12.00.

Frazer and Henry will join the other area finalists from across the country to battle it out for the crown of Honda RYA Youth RIB National champions 2018 at the Southampton Boat Show on Sunday, September 16.

The boys will be hoping to clinch the top prizes of a Honwave T40 RIB with a Honda BF20 engine for their club in the 8-12 age group or a Highfield OM460 RIB with a Honda BF50 engine for their club in the 13-16 age group.

Steve Morris, head of power equipment for Honda (UK), said: “We are pleased to continue our long and successful partnership with the RYA in supporting the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship in its 16th year.

“Honda and our boat partner Highfield are delighted to support the RYA in its endeavours to motivate and encourage young people to develop their skills and to promote safe and responsible racing through this unique and exciting championship.”