Nuff Said owner Stephen Moniz has high hopes after his team produced their best showing of the year in the opening race of the Race World Offshore Key West World Championships in Florida on Wednesday.

The local professional powerboat racing team finished fourth among the 14-strong Super Stock class with driver Luis Martins and throttle man Nick Imprescia at the helm of their 32-foot twin-engined Doug Wright catamaran.

“Our fourth-place finish was absolutely inspiring — the proof is in the pudding,” Moniz told The Royal Gazette. “Luis and Nick did an amazing job and gave us our first top 5 finish of the season.

“The result reflects the hard work, unity and belief in this team, and we look forward to taking the team to another level next season.”

The team are making their second appearance at the event and are determined to improve on last year’s eleventh place, which was also their first time competing in the boat.

“Last year Key West was not a good run for the team so expectations for this year were high and the guys delivered,” Moniz said.

“The vibe as a team is extremely positive and we are all excited going into race two on Friday, where we expect to finish on the lead lap.”

Imprescia is a new addition to the team after winning the Factory Stock-class American Power Boat Association World Championship with driver Ian Morgan for the first time.

“We have a new throttle man in the boat, Nick Imprescia, and happy to have him on the team,” Moniz said.

Also flying the island’s flag at the event is Team Bermuda, comprised of driver David Selley and boat owner and throttle man Steven Bridges.

The duo are also off to a good start having finished fifth in the first race and will be keen to build on that display heading into today’s second of three scheduled races.

“Hope to improve and looking forward to the next two races,” Bridges said.

Team Bermuda are making their fourth appearance at the championships where they placed fourth overall.

The third and final race will be held on Sunday when boat with the highest points in each of the various classes will be crowned champion.