Sky's the limit for new Maltese world champion

It takes extreme dedication as well as raw talent to become a world champion, and few can doubt that Aaron Ciantar possesses both of these qualities in abundance.

The 2008 Powerboat P1 Supersport world champion has been driving fast boats since he was a small boy and his idea of relaxing when he is not racing is to indulge in his other passion - testing his Chaudron 41 powerboat and working on it to make it faster.

Ciantar, 28, credits his father as being a huge influence on his career, and his family run the Chaudron boat-building firm in Fgura, which proudly proclaims that 'we race what we build'.

Chaudron is responsible for building the victorious Chaudron 41 powerboat used by Ciantar's Racing Project-run Conam Yachts team. The Chaudron 41 has an innovative mercury-powered hull, which proved to be instrumental in helping Conam Yachts to win the 2008 Powerboat P1 Supersport world championship in style, losing only one race along the way.

Such is Ciantar's dedication to his sport, he estimates that he was responsible for building about 70 per cent of his triumphant boat.

Ciantar confirmed his place alongside snooker ace Paul Mifsud as Malta's second ever sporting world champion following victory at the Vigo Grand Prix of the Sea in Spain on September 14. So dominant were the Conam Yachts team throughout the season that their victory in Spain ensured that they had won the championship with one race still remaining.

Ciantar has been racing in Powerboat P1 since 2004, but this was the first year he was partnered by Italian throttleman Angelo Tedeschi, who also happens to be the owner of Racing Project-run Conam Yachts team.

The story of how the two became partners says a lot about Ciantar's fearless style as a powerboat pilot. "I was testing the Chaudron 41 with Angelo before the start of last year. I made a turn at full throttle and he just looked at me, smiled and said, 'Fancy racing with me? No one else drives like that!'"

Although there are obvious dangers in powerboat racing, Ciantar says he is not afraid of anything and his daring character was in evidence when he claimed a double victory under intense pressure at the Malta Grand Prix of the Sea in June.

Powerboat P1 chief executive, Jim O'Toole described Mr Ciantar as "a superb ambassador for his country, his family's company and our sport" adding that the P1 authorities are "especially pleased to see a Maltese world champion as Powerboat P1 has a deep relationship with the country".

Ciantar is delighted with his success, but realises that he could not have done it alone. "You need the whole package to win the P1 title - good crew, good mechanics, a good boat, good engines - and most importantly it's good for the Chaudron company that I'm world champion," he said.

Although Powerboat P1 does not have a mass following in Malta, Ciantar believes the sport is growing in popularity and he is pleased with the response of the Maltese public. He was even mobbed by members of the South End Ta' Qali Core on his return from Vigo.

"My victory in the Malta Grand Prix was the highlight of my season and I am very proud to be a world champion for Malta," he says, adding that he intends to defend his P1 title next year.