Suspense, speed and spectacle at sea again

It came as no surprise that Malta was to host again the first of the six Grands Prix making up this year's UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship...

Malta enjoys great maritime tradition and presents a unique backdrop to nautical manifestations. So, following the overwhelming success attained in 2004 and 2005, both with regards to the event in general and international exposure, the three-year agreement signed recently in London between KBL Powerboat Manage-ment Ltd, promoters of P1, and the Malta Tourism Authority, was somehow expected.

With the season's "GO" signal scheduled for the second weekend of May, anxiety over meeting deadlines is running high among one and all - organisers, teams, sponsors and signature venues alike.

Two important meetings have been held in London and Rome where teams and organisers had opportunities for detailed discussions on all related matters such as rules, venues, transportation, prize-money and various aspects that such a heavy commitment entails.

With only some ten weeks to go, a good number of teams have confirmed their participation and a formal presentation of all the participants is expected shortly.

But, at this stage, who are the prospective participants? Familiar names are being mentioned.

In the Evolution Class one hears of Offshore Executive, Fainplast, Sony, Cantieri Del Mediterraneo, Thuraya, Offshore Unlimited, OSG and Wettpunkt.com.

The Supersport Class is bound to include Offshore Performance, Team Datch, Oba Oba Racing, Buzzi Bullet, Jolly Drive and Pietro Pellegrini Allufer.

In such an enticing scenario Malta is not only prominently featuring as one of the signature venues but thanks to the participation of a Maltese team on the famous P1 circuit, the local colours are in the limelight throughout the whole championship.

The past two seasons were tough testing ground for 46 ESI Chaudron which, however, proved a valid and rewarding experience. While in 2004, 46 ESI Chaudron only contested three races, last year they raced five out of six events, a participation which, irrespective of the team's limitations both in equipment and experience, presented great satisfaction.

For, Aaron and Audrienne Ciantar, pilot and navigator of the Maltese challenger and backed by their father Charles, the mentor behind the team, secured a third place overall in the Supersport Class.

46 ESI Chaudron may be described as a 'speedboat' and the Ciantars were most conscious that they were not at a par with the real 'racing powerboats' at the P1 Worlds.

Now, encouraged by the results attained and with the support of various sponsors, a new Chaudron boat is being built which should make the Malta team far more competitive this year.

Excellent relationships

"We enjoyed excellent relationships with the authorities, local promoters and business partners at each of our 2005 venues," Nathan Knight, CEO for promoters KBL Powerboat Management Ltd, said.

"In fact, each of the six Grands Prix, with the exception of the final round on the Iberian peninsula, will be hosted at the same 2005 P1 signature venues."

With such a stunning calendar ahead, powerboat followers are in for an exciting time provided by boatmen who love the glamour and danger that the courageous combination of 'man and machine' endure when facing the mighty element of the sea.

Did I say 'boatmen'?

Sorry Audrienne... I meant no disrespect... your sole female presence on the circuit confirmed that glamour is as tough as it can be gentle.

P1 World Championship 2006

Grand Prix of Malta (Valletta) May 13-14
Grand Prix of Italy (Anzio) June 3-4
Grand Prix of Germany (Travemunde) July 1-2
Grand Prix of Britain (Cowes) August 26-27
Mediterranean Grand Prix (Gallipoli) September 16-17
Grand Prix of Spain (TBA) September 30-October 1

Previous winners

Evolution Class
2003 Rizzardi (69 pts) Italy, F&B/Seatek
2004 Thuraya (76) Italy, CUV/Lamborgini
2005 Wettpunkt.com (81) Austria, F&B/Seatek

Supersport Class
2003 Credit Securing (57 pts) Italy, Bruzzes/Mercury
2004 Fainplast (41) Italy, Metamarine/Seatek
2005 Jolly Drive (49) Italy, Rizzardi 36'/Yanmar