THE residents of Sydney should probably get used to the spectacular sprays of wash and the churning roar of the country’s most powerful speedboats after yesterday’s first major superboat event on Sydney Harbour was declared a success by organisers and participants.

The event was closely watched by members of the NSW Government, including Ports Minister Joe Tripodi and Tourism Minister Matt Brown, who are deciding whether the World Superboat Championships should be held in Sydney next year.

A supportive Mr Brown welcomed the possibility of Sydney hosting more superboat racing events.

The giant boats, some of which have almost 2000 horsepower driving them across the waves, exceed 200km/h.

The race was marred by the death of water-skiing champion Peter Eagle, father of model Lauryn Eagle, who was killed in a speedboat accident on his way to take part in the event on Saturday. He had not registered at the time and was not participating in any race-related event.

Organisers yesterday defended the sport as safe, saying there had been only two deaths in the past 30 years in offshore power racing — the last 18 years ago.

Thousands of people watched from vantage points around the harbour foreshore.

Winning pilot Tom Barry-Cotter, 19, said at the speeds they were travelling the boat planed across the surface of the waves. “It is a lot like flying,” he said. “The atmosphere was amazing.”

More than 1200 spectator craft also witnessed the giant Maritimo power to its fifth consecutive win this season. The boat never looked like losing, circling the harbour in little more than three minutes a lap.

Offshore Superboat Championships race director Russell Embleton said the crowds were the largest ever seen for a powerboat race in Australia.

“Sydney Harbour has definitely proved itself as a perfect race destination, for competitors and spectators alike, and is well worthy to host a leg of the World Powerboat Championships,” Mr Embleton said