Sky Sports has sensationally scrapped its coverage of the Submarine Racing Championships after viewers switched off.

Critics said there was very little to see apart from some water.

The SRC is a major event played out in the North Sea off Suffolk ever year. The United States has won the previous three seasons, with Britain and Russia usually fighting for second place.

Germany has not been a force since 1945.

But despite some interesting racing, where submarines begin off Felixstowe and race north to Lowestoft, television viewers found it all rather boring.

TV critic Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “Sky Sports tried to jazz it up a bit, with panel experts chatting about the skills on show. But no-one could see anything.

“And don’t mention the VAR – Germany was furious when one of their submarines was ruled to have fouled before a victory.”

The news has blown a hole in Sky Sports’ spring scheduling. Instead, it will show extra episodes from the indoor bowls championships, which is far more exciting and visually appealing.

Russia was banned from this year’s racing after one of its submarines was caught spying on Felixstowe.