Eat my spray

Photo: Jono Edwards.
Photo: Jono Edwards.
Driver John Derry and navigator Brent Hefford, both of Blenheim, are first to fly into Cromwell, retaining their overall lead in the New Zealand Jet Boat Marathon yesterday.

Twenty-three boats are competing in the week-long competition in rivers throughout Otago and Canterbury.

Yesterday, drivers bolted through two time trials. One was on the Matukituki River and the other on the Clutha, from Lake Hawea to Cromwell.

Event spokesman Paul Mullan said four of the boats had gas turbine engines, which were once in helicopters.

"Once their use-by date is up in a helicopter, they are perfectly fine to use in these boats."

The two quickest times in the Clutha leg yesterday were from U-series boats.

Derry cleared it in 25min 20sec and Mike Pooley, of Christchurch, in 27min 33sec.

Nick Sullivan claimed third in 29min 40sec, despite having a lower CX class boat.

The competition will finish today with one time trial on the Dart River and another on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers.

Next year, New Zealand will host the World Jet Boat Marathon.

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