HAMPSHIRE powerboat racer Charlie Hatfield has been crowned champion with a race to spare after a dominating season.

Co-pilot Hatfield, from Sway, won nine of the season’s ten races so far to claim the prestigious title.

He and driver Bligh Julius currently top the team leaderboard and are on course to claim the overall title at the season finale at Fistral Beach, Newquay, next month.

After being presented with a gold winner's wreath, Hatfield, pictured, said: “This is a great achievement after not racing for five years, and to get back in the boat with Bligh again and do so well is great.”

Julius also tops the drivers' standings and will win the coveted top spot with anything better than a sixth-place finish in Newquay.