The news that Ben Jelf has claimed his third consecutive UIM GT15 European crown must surely make him one of the most successful junior powerboat racers the World has ever seen.

 

Ben Jelf

Ben Jelf has won yet another title.



The 13-year old has only been racing for four years. In that time, Ben Jelf has claimed three European titles, six British titles, two World Speed Records and three British Speed Records - and that’s to say nothing of becoming the UK’s youngest ever World Champion at the age of just 11.

It’s a hell of a record, but I do wonder whether his future will bring the recognition his success deserves. After all, Britain has a peculiar fondness for celebrating its world-beating sailors to the point of obsequious slavishness (nothing wrong with that). However, it seems to ignore its equally successful powerboat racers with a degree of conviction that verges on willful disregard.

The closest the UK powerboating world has come to making that sticky transition from backwater niche to mainstream sport was a cameo from Shelley Jory-Leigh in a Honda TV ad. There was also a slightly ill-conceived appearance from the extraordinary powerboating legend that is Steve Curtis (eight-times World Champion) on an episode of Top Gear (again courtesy of Honda’s well-oiled PR machine).

Certainly, Ben Jelf’s sponsors (Peters & May Racing, BS Motorsport, Nauticpromo, Racing Batteries and Tohatsu UK) are doing him proud and his success will only see them rewarded for their loyalty. I would still like to see the public add its concerted support to our most capable powerboat racers…

So rather than risk allowing young Ben Jelf to fade into obscurity and become a man who used to race a boat, I have decided to write about him at every opportunity. I have decided to champion his cause to become Sir Ben Jelf, Sports Personality of the Year and King of England, with all the trappings that genuine mainstream sporting superstardom can bring – an offshore bank account, a model girlfriend, a faux American accent and a propensity to order vast bottles of Champagne for fawning sycophants on nights out in London’s West End!

In the mean time, I will simply say well done to Ben Jelf. To everyone else: remember the name.

Written by: Alex Smith
Alex Smith is a journalist, copywriter and magazine editor with a long history in boating and a happy addiction to the water. He’s worked on boats, lived on boats, bought boats, sold boats and – when he’s not actually on board a boat – he can generally be found in his Folkestone office, tapping away at the computer and gazing out to sea.