With about four laps remaining in the Oamaru Powerboat Marathon, round 6 of the New Zealand Boat Marathon Commission race series, both the skipper and co-pilot were plunged into the water about 11.40am and the race was called off, race convener Gary Story, of the North Otago Yacht and Powerboat Club, said.
Mr Story had spoken to both men, from Otaki, yesterday afternoon.
He said the skipper, who was more seriously injured than his co-pilot, was in a stable condition.With mechanical failures limiting the numbers of entries, just 12 boats started the 100km, 11-lap race about 10.30am. But enough of the race had been completed for the results to be valid.
"These guys are all pretty close, they all know each other, they compete against each other, and no-one likes seeing a competitor hurt, or injured, or this happening to anyone. The guys’ll be just a bit . . . concerned," Mr Story said.
Another competitor, Warren Lewis, originally from Timaru but now of Auckland, owns and was aboard an American-made 35ft (10.7m) Douglas Skater powerboat, with twin 525hp V8s, which due to commission regulations required a helicopter with a diver on board to follow it around the course.
For his canopy boat, piloted by John Shand, the race featured "great offshore conditions", but he said it was "very lumpy".
Mr Lewis praised the work of the safety officials on the course on Saturday.
"They actually had both crewmen out of the boat and in support boats before the helicopter got there," he said.
A St John spokesman said the two men suffered serious and moderate injuries.
