Powerboat champions Sean White and Michael Mello came up with a simple gameplan to blow their opponents out of the water in yesterday's BTC Mobility Round the Island Race -- Go for broke! The pair in their 22ft Ocke Mannerfelt D-Class craft took the flag in a record time of 44 minutes 28 seconds at Ferry Reach ahead of the A-Class boat of Aaron Sims and Chris Osborne.

Milking victory in front of a large shoreline crowd, White said: "We had a bit of a rough time at the beginning as we had to sort our way through all the other D-Class boats but once we got out in front we never looked back, kept our foot down and just went for broke.'' White said conditions were pretty smooth from Hamilton Harbour until the boats reached Dockyard.

"After Dockyard it was quite choppy but we basically ran the race foot down.

The mentality we adopted this year was to go for broke and if we leave it out there, we leave it out there,'' he said.

This is the fifth time the boat has been entered in the event, but the first time it has come home victorious.

"We have been very close before but never a win and this year we did it.

"It's just fabulous, wonderful. I want to thank my sponsors and my team for all the hard work they have put in over the years. If it wasn't for them and my co-pilot Michael I wouldn't have done it,'' said White.

One of the most excited observers at Ferry Reach was Bermuda Powerboat Association committee member Roderick Sims.

Sims' son, Aaron, had been leading the race overall until the closing stages, but was forced to give way to White and Mello's more powerful craft.

Sims senior, whose best ever finish was a second place, said he had a simple philosophy for his son.

"I told him he either had to do better or pack it up,'' he said.

Sims junior said he was over the moon.

"I tried very hard for this race. I've tried for four years and this is the best that I've done -- first in my class and second overall,'' he said.

"South Shore was very rough. It was a mind game -- you just had to keep your head and hope for the best.'' Sims didn't have the class all his own way, having to fight off stiff competition from Michael Lopes and Joseph Vieira.

"I overtook Michael just past Elbow Beach -- after that the race was mine,'' he said. "I just kept my head and pushed the whole way and then Sean overtook me just inside the pylons.'' Sims said it had turned into a very emotional afternoon. "We put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this. If it wasn't for my pit crew, my parents, my girlfriend, co-pilot and everyone helping us out, I wouldn't be where I am today,'' he said.

Round the Island record From Page 25 Last year's overall winner, Guy DeSilva and co-driver Eddie Roberts had to settle for first in B-Class and third overall.

"It was a good race. B-Class was very competitive. Dean Boorman, my mechanic ran in the class with his Skater and he gave me a run for my money all the way -- he really made me work for this first place,'' DeSilva said.

"Conditions weren't too bad -- it was worse last year. You could get up on top of it and pretty well run on top.'' Despite not being able to hang on to his title, DeSilva said he was happy with his afternoon's efforts. "You are never disappointed when you finish,'' he said.

C-Class winners, Steven Bridges and co-pilot John Stephens went one better than last year's second place.

"It was a little bouncy. South Shore was pretty choppy and it had a swell to it so we were airborne a few times,'' said Bridges. "It was a close race all the way to Five Star Island going up to Commissioner's Point, then we pulled away and we never saw anyone after that.'' Earlier in the day Chris Smith took the glory in the jet ski race on his Club 40 Yamaha.

"I couldn't have asked for better conditions,'' said Smith referring to the waves. "The boat that came second (Jamie Smith) was my main concern. He's very fast in most conditions and there isn't much difference in speed between us. The only way I could beat him was to have these conditions.

"There was a lot of cross-chop, the waves were not regular so it was difficult if not impossible to read them. Going out I was able to take advantage of the waves a bit but coming back I just had to sit down and hold on,'' he said.

There was also a resounding win in the Junior Powerboat event for Scott Barnes who romped home in both races.

Bermuda Powerboat Assocation Commodore Craig Burt said the event had been a triumph.

"It's been a lot of work. We are thankful again to BTC Mobility Group of Companies and everyone that came together in the Powerboat Association, St John's Ambulance, Harbour Radio and Marine Police.

"It's been a safe race. I did hear that one boat sank, A7111. Hopefully, they can find that, but overall it has been a success.'' Round the Island in record time Speed demons -- Sean White and Michael Mello guide their D-Class craft towards the Ferry Reach finish line for overall victory in yesterday's Round the Island powerboat race.

Photos by Arthur Bean We are the champions: Sean White (right) with co-pilot Michael Mello prepare to celebrate after their win in yesterday's BTC Mobility Round The Island Powerboat Race.