Powerboat racer Colin Jelf finished eighth in the final round of the F2 World Championship in Portugal on Sunday.

Jelf, from Harrietsham, ends the season sixth in the overall standings, with his outside hopes of winning a medal dashed at Vila Velha De Rodao.

A fraught and frantic race saw Jelf capitalise on a restart from a yellow flag to move up from 10th to eighth.

He said: “We had a new boat this season and, as always, that means you need to adjust your style of driving to suit that boat.

“There’s been changes in officials and new racers in the fleet that takes some adjusting to as well. Officials all have their own way of doing things so you have to adapt to this.”

“I would have hoped for a world podium finish but a couple of on-water decisions haven’t gone my way, but to finish sixth in an extremely high calibre of drivers, I have to be happy with.

“Congratulations to Rashed Al Qemzi on his fourth world title.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my whole team for their tireless effort and our sponsors Kingfisher Fire & Security for their ongoing support.”

Meanwhile, Ben Jelf is in F1 Powerboat action this weekend as the World Championship heads to Olbia, Sardinia for the fourth and penultimate round.

Twenty of the world’s top racers will compete for the coveted title of winner of the Grand Prix of Italy and all-important championship points.

Rookie racer Jelf will be looking to get onto the scoreboard in the championship and has spent a lot of time since the last round in France in June getting to grips with his new DAC hull.

The format of this weekend's racing will also see a change in format. Free practice and qualifying sessions will be split into two groups of odd and even numbered boats and the final number will be whittled down to 16 starters for the Grand Prix after a further repechage session on Sunday morning.

“I’m still getting used to the boat and its style of driving but every time I get in the boat, I feel more and more confident,” Jelf said.

“We are finally moving in the right direction in the championship towards the points in the table, so hopefully this weekend we can acquire some points and prove that the hard work has all been worth it.”