Bradenton Regatta F2 Powerboat races halted due to rough conditions on Manatee River

Regatta F2 Powerboat races halted due to rough conditions on river

BRADENTON -- The main races in the Bradenton Area River Regatta were cancelled just after 3 p.m. Saturday due to the rough surf conditions on the Manatee River.

At about 3:15 p.m., an announcement was made over the intercom to the few spectators left standing in the cold, rainy conditions that the F2 Powerboat races were officially being canceled.

Boats had started heading back from the docks prior to the announcement, because the water was too rough and they were banging into the docks.

"The water became too choppy. Obviously visibility is an issue. The current is moving a lot faster. It's moving our buoys and the course buoys and they are not staying where they need to me," said Michael Dongilli, with ISM-USA, the event organizer. "When you combine all those things, it becomes very difficult to put on a race in these kinds of weather conditions."

This story was originally published February 6, 2016 at 11:25 PM with the headline "Bradenton Regatta F2 Powerboat races halted due to rough conditions on Manatee River ."