Bermuda Power Boat Association broke new ground - or rather new water - yesterday as the organisation continued to regroup following its fatal race three weeks ago.

Following a memorial service and dinner in Stuart Smith's honour on Saturday night, BPBA members got their first-ever taste of competition in Hamilton Harbour yesterday afternoon and, if all goes well, it won't be their last.

“Way back when racing first started there were races in Hamilton Harbour but this is the first time for our era and with the kind of boats we have now,” said BPBA commodore Chris Roque, adding that he hoped racing in Hamilton Harbour became an annual spectacle on the club's calendar.

“It's the perfect spectator area. You can watch the whole race,” he noted, making a sweeping gesture with his hand of the Front Street dockside where onlookers gathered to watch the speedy sport.

Roque said racers - he being one of them - enjoyed this addition to racing, adding that the incident-free event was a ready endorsement for a repeat of racing at that location.

“It was a bit trying with officials to get the permission (to race) but hopefully they see we have met all the requirements and did a good job of keeping everybody safe and making it a fun race.

“I raced and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a dream I've had for a lot of years and I'm glad it's come to fruition.”

This success comes on the heels of the August 18 tragedy in which New Zealander Smith lost his life while competing in the annual Around The Island race. The 34-year-old was the co-pilot in a C-Class catamaran which crashed off South Shore.

“We had a nice memorial to Stu last night and it's on with racing today. That's what he would have wanted,” said Roque, remembering his late friend.

While racing took place among various jet ski and powerboat classes yesterday, competition among juniors and tunnel boats was cancelled because high winds raised a safety issue for those smaller boats.

Powerboats raced on a two-mile course from No. 7 dock to World's End Island and back while jet skis competed on a smaller triangular course.