Fozimage - Masthead - Zeller Zee boats

21st April 2012 - Zapcat racing at Fistral Bay.

Round one of the Newquay Grand Prix, National & Surf Championships.

Strong 20 mph on shore winds with 5 to 7 feet waves in tight sets great the intrepid Zapcat teams.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

The starter holds up the yellow and green flags to ready the teams.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

He readys the chequered flag for the heat winner.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

In the next heat Zapcat 37 one of the Royal Marine's teams flips over on the waves.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

The safety team refloat the zapcat.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

and a lot of strength is needed to flush the sea water out of the engine.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

The heats continue.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

The white flag signals the last lap of the heat.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Another heat gets under way.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Three Zapcats and the Safety boat all capsize.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

making it hard work for the Jetskis to rescue the crews before righting the boats.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

The reserve safety boat is bought down to the waters edge.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

It is not long before the reg flag is raised again as another Zapcat capsizes.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

It is zapcat 37 again!.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

At the end of the heats the Zapcats are pulled up the beach out of the water.

Zapcat Newquay Grand Prix, round one at Fistral bay, Newquay - © Ian Foster / fozimage

All images © Ian Foster / fozimage