The Ukrainian entries went, raced and conquered

The reflections expressed in our preview on the eve of the 31st Key West World Championship in Florida only three weeks ago were so very true.

Aaron is my friend. We have been in the same team for three years and we understand each other without words. Together we’ve won two world championships. I’d like him to stay in our team

Appropriate words to go along with the character and qualities of Ukrainian Viktor Shemchuk, a Doctor of Philosophy in Law by profession, a powerboat sports aficionado, the president of the National Ukrainian Powerboat Federation and the proud owner of super powerboats Ukrainian Spirit and Seagull, so successful in Europe and now in America too.

Prior to this first USA experience you were confident of doing well but did you actually think that ‘doing well’ meant winning the two categories you contested?

“Our investors, managers, the whole Ukrainian team of Seagull as well as Aaron Ciantar and me have done a great job and naturally we are happy with the results.

“The Ukrainian guys were very well prepared to win the SBI World Championship. Fate gave me and Aaron one in a thousand chance and we took it. Of course, we are happy.

“The participation of Seagull was a last-minute decision. We hoped that one of the boats would make the podium. But no, we never dreamt of winning in two classes on the same occasion.”

How does the level of competition of the Super Boat International compare with that of Europe?

“The championships in the US were held on a superior scale. Here, it is a festival in which teams, boats, support trucks and equipment are part of a grand scenario. Furthermore sportsmen, pilots, throttle men, navigators and mechanics are regarded as actors performing for the attention and recognition of the thousands of spectators, fans and supporters.

“It is quite unrealistic to call an event a World Championship when the occasion is a race between just three Italian boats as it was last year in Europe.

“The SBI World Championship was contested by 61 teams from three continents – North America, Europe and Australia.

“As for the level and professionalism of the participating teams, I believe the European level is as good as that of the Americans and of other international teams. Our results prove that.”

It has already been announced that next season, the SBI championship will be an eight-event challenge…

“The SBI calendar is stable. Teams are able to plan, secure sponsors and see through the implementation of related obligations.

“The first outing of next year’s championship will be in Jacksonville. Furthermore new international teams are expected.

“Unfortunately, at the moment, everything is uncertain in Europe. For this reason we plan to concentrate on the SBI.

“However, we are also keen on the idea of setting speed records on water in different destinations.

“In fact, we have received an invitation to participate in the 320-nautical mile Round Britain Powerboat Race (2012) while we are giving a lot of thinking to our possible participation in the race from Cowes to Monte Carlo in June 2013.”

Do you see the possibility of an SBI Championship in Europe next year?

“Our idea is a racing week where the best pilots from the European and American championships will challenge each other.

“Organisation-wise, we can do it as we did in Yalta last year. We have experience, staff and the right infrastructure.

“It all depends on the teams. Once there is sufficient interest we’ll go for it… we are ready.”

Will Maltese driver Aaron Ciantar still be part of the Ukrainian Spirit team next year?

“Aaron is my friend. We have been in the same team for three years and we understand each other without words. Together we’ve won two world championships. I’d like him to stay in our team.

“We are satisfied clients who recognise the excellent craftsmanship of the Ciantar family that gave us a quality product which led for the Ukrainian team to become world champions and winners of the world and European championships”.

Ciantar thrilled

For his part, Ciantar was elated by the excellent results achieved in Key West last month.

“From my side, I am most thrilled with our involvement both as boat-builders and also as a crew member. It was a great team effort and I look forward to sharing more Ukrainian-Maltese achievements,” Ciantar said.

Shemchuk, Ciantar and all the other winners will remember Key West 2011 as one of their moments of greatness.

However, one cannot fail to mention that this event has also been described as the deadliest week in memory following the death of three racers.

On Day One, Big Thunder Marine owner/throttleman Bob Morgan and driver Jeffrey Tillman were killed when their 46-foot catamaran suddenly leapt high into the air and spun upside down.

On Day Two, Page Motorsports throttleman Joey Gratton was fatally wounded when his 28-foot Skater rolled near an offshore turn.

Yes, life is like a rainbow made up of different colours each representing different circumstances and outcomes. Yet, whatever colour hits us, bright or dull, survivals must be strong, rise and look forward to the next challenge with confidence.

Certainly that is what the Shemchuk-Ciantar tandem, the newly-crowned world champions, are bound to do in their endeavour to face successive challenges and prevail on the seas.