Tunisia, Hammamet - 11th - 13th July

The crews competing in the Evolution class round of the Tunisian Grand Prix of the Sea branded the race one of the hardest they've ever done.

With shore-side temperatures of 40C and temperatures in the cockpits and engine bays of the closed canopy Evolution boats in excess of 60C, the event proved a real test of stamina for both man and machine.

James Sheppard, pilot of the #99 fountain Worldwide 1st4boats.com team. “It was a fantastic race, but probably one of the hardest races I've ever competed in,” he said. “I've raced in Florida and Dubai, and it has never felt that hot in the cockpit. Like everyone, we had problems with engines and overheating, so we just had to hang on and keep pushing. Hats off to everyone who finished that race, because it was tough.”

Sunday's Evolution Sprint race round proved as much of a test of stamina of man and machine as Saturday's Endurance race, with the #10 Fantastic 1 Cigarette Racing Team Europe squad, the #76 Italcraft boat and the #88 Kiton Outerlimits emerging the top-three survivors from an attrition-marked race.

The first few laps provided some of the closest racing of the season so far as the #10 Fantastic 1, the #60 GFN Gibellato, the #88 Kiton Outerlimits and the #99 Fountain Worldwide 1st4boats.com crews battled fiercely for position. By the end of the first lap, though the #99 Fountain Worldwide crew were slowing with broken steering, and the #60 GFN Gibellato boat was surging ahead into a dominant lead.

Tunisia Race Gallery

Click on any of the below images to open the gallery (more images to follow shortly)