Power boat racers suffer terrifying high speed flip in Gold Coast event

Two power boat racers were lucky to escape unscathed after a terrifying crash at over 150km/h during an open ocean race on the Gold Coast.

Competing in the 2015 UIM XCAT World Series, championship leaders Team Dubai were flying across the water in Moreton Bay during a speed run on the opening day of the event when their powerboat hit some chop and became airborne.

The boat flipped over, hitting the water nose first, before slamming onto its roof in a spectacular explosion of water and giving racers Arid Al Zaffain and Nadir bin Hendi an almighty jolt inside.

Rescue crews immediately sprung into action to ensure the safety of the crew with the pair helped aboard a safety vessel.

But remarkably, Al Zaffain and bin Hendri were unhurt, with repairs on the boat beginning shortly after the accident.

The XCAT series involves 13 countries, with each craft piloted by a team of two and accompanied by a team of mechanics and supporters.

The Gold Coast event is the fourth leg of the championship, drawing large crowds from Europe and the Middle East.