Students from Cowes Enterprise College, part of Ormiston Academies Trust, are celebrating after returning from the QinetiQ Powerboat Challenge 2025, where they secured a clean sweep victory against schools from across the South of England.
The team gathered with seven other schools to race their model powerboats at Haslar’s renowned Ocean Basin, which is one of Europe’s most advanced maritime test environments.
Since September, students have been designing and refining their vessels to reach their final design, which featured an inventive three stepped, semi-displacement hull combined with an inverted V stern. The completed DL-75 surged into the lead in every heat, cutting through 19,000 tonnes of water with remarkable stability and precision before storming to victory in the final.
Throughout the day, students demonstrated impressive confidence both on the water and in conversations with experts and judges from QinetiQ, the Royal Navy, Chartwell Marine and Maritime Solent.
They spoke clearly and enthusiastically about their engineering decisions and design concepts, communicating with the focus and assurance of future engineers and innovators.
The event adds a new chapter to Cowes Enterprise College’s long and proud tradition of maritime success. This latest achievement marks the academy’s third triumph in the challenge and highlights the strength of its pioneering Maritime Futures curriculum and its commitment to inspiring students to pursue STEM careers.
Rachel Kitley, Principal of Cowes Enterprise College, said:
“We are incredibly proud of our powerboat team and everything they have achieved this year. Their victory is a testament not only to their engineering talent, but to their teamwork, determination and professionalism. This success reflects the strength of our Maritime Futures curriculum, which gives students the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive in marine engineering and maritime industries.”
