BERMUDA’S powerboaters take to the water on Sunday for the annual spectacular Around the Island Race.However, one man who will ruefully miss out is Bermuda Power Boat Association president Bobby DeCosta who is taking a break after having a heart attack over Christmas.

He believes the Stoneham cousins — Andy and Anthony — are the favourites with their S class boat.

“If it is dead calm then S class boats are not going to do well. If it is rough then the S class boats, because of their length, are going to be able to run faster over the water. But it’s anybody’s race,” DeCosta said

Whoever wins will find it unforgettable said DeCosta who after a lifetime of racing finally won in 2004 when he also snared the D class record.

After 19 attempts the achievement really hit home.

“I cried like a baby, I am not afraid to admit. It’s so emotional when you do win. I was flabbergasted.

“You try so hard over the years, spend so much money, you go out there and bust up all your equipment.

“To win is one thing but just to finish the around the island race — you are a winner. There is a lot of wear and tear on the equipment and the person.”

He said the race was a white-knuckle thrill-ride which hammered both mind and body.

“You are constantly moving, you are constantly pulling the wheel from side to side and not to mention the physical abuse of being bounced around and slapped.

“At the end of the day you are talking about 35-40 minutes of total body abuse.”

The race, done at speeds reaching 120 mph, is also mentally demanding.

“Everywhere you go, you have to watch — you not only have to see the waves but read them - know when to take your foot off the throttle and when to put your foot back on the throttle. Your body gets beaten completely to death.

“It’s an adrenaline rush — the speed, the leaping out of the water. This is nothing like it.”

DeCosta’s co-pilot Chris Wells and Graham Sutherland will be taking the D13 Renault boat which DeCosta won in.

Now 48, he has been racing power boats since he was 16. “I have found nothing that even comes close.” Turn-outs have been up slightly up this season but prohibitive costs have meant the line-up for the around the island race is down on what it was years ago, said DeCosta.

Thirteen boats are entered but DeCosta thinks fewer will actually make the starting line.

“Realistically I think we will be lucky to get ten.”

He said the old guard had fallen away while young people can’t afford the sport without sponsors. While a pleasure boating life jacket costs just $12, one suitable for racing was nearer $400.

“If anyone has a racing boat and wants to come out and race by the time they have paid the insurance, helmets and life jackets, they are looking at a $4,000 expense to just race for one hour.”

But the Bermuda Power Boat Association is not willing to compromise safety standards to boost numbers, said DeCosta.

“Best of luck to all the guys. But I hope it is too rough and it gets postponed so I can come back and bust their butts.”

The race starts at Ferry Reach at 2 p.m. while the jet skis start at noon.

Powerboaters rev up for annual spectacular