A good bit of news here arrived by Email today:
CURTIS AWARDED MBE IN QUEEN'S 80th BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST
Sunday, 18 June: Steve Curtis' outstanding achievements and success in world
powerboat racing have been recognised in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours list, with the seven times and defending Class 1 World Powerboat Champion being awarded the MBE (Member of the order of the British Empire) for 'services to sport'. "I am totally surprised but of course very honoured to receive this award, and also proud that powerboat racing has received this level of recognition." said Curtis.
Curtis, 42 from Southampton has enjoyed unprecedented success in a career that began in 1982 and is recognised by his peers as the sport's most celebrated racer; he lifted his first two world titles in the USA in 1985 and 1987, taking his third eleven year's later with Bjorn Gjelsten in Spirit
of Norway. Since 2002, Curtis has dominated the sport, winning the World Championship four years in a row, three with Gjelsten and last year with Bard Eker. In the Spanish Grand Prix in Garrucha two weeks ago he celebrated his 100th Grand Prix with his 34th career win and alongside his seven world titles has won the European Championship three times, the Middle
East title twice and the Pole Position Championship six times.
This season Curtis and Gjelsten continue to set the pace, winning two out of
three Grand Prix and lead the title race by 11 points from Qatar 96 with the
next race, the Norwegian Grand Prix, in Arendal on Sunday, 23 July.
For information contact:
Nigel Quilter
U.I.M. Class 1 World Powerboat Championship
tel: + 44 (0) 1252 713223 mob: + 44 (0) 7785 325346
e-mail:
q@q4media.com / e-mail:
q@class-1.com www.class-1.com
__________________