Ukrainian Spirit eye US success

Maltese racer Aaron Ciantar and owner-throttleman Victor Shemchuk have tasted great success on the international powerboat racing scene over the past few years.

Racing aboard the Chaudron-powered Ukrainian Spirit, Ciantar and Shemchuk followed up their triumphs in the UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship with victory in the more prestigious Super Boat International (SBI) Championship, held in Key Biscayne last year.

This impressive streak has by no means diminished the hunger for more glory in both Ciantar and Shemchuk who have their eyes set on conquering more prestigious trophies in the next 18 months.

Speaking at a news conference at the Grand Hotel Excelsior yesterday, Shemchuk told the media that their main goal for the year is to successfully defend their titles in the SBI Championship.

“Because of the uncertainty in powerboat racing in Europe at present, we have decided to concentrate all our efforts on defending our titles in the SBI Championship,” Shemchuk said.

“Last year, our team fielded two boats, Ukrainian Spirit and Seagull, in different categories.

“Although both were making their first appearance in the competition, they finished top in their respective category.

“This success has inspired us to return to this championship, which brings together the best powerboats in the world, and try to repeat our success. It won’t be easy as our competitors are aware of our potential but my partnership with Aaron has been very successful and I see no reason why we cannot retain our titles.”

The Super Boat International Championship comprises seven races but the Ukrainian Spirit Project team are planning to take part in two, the New York Grand Prix, on the weekend of September 7-9, and the Key West World Championship, to be held in Florida between November 4 and 11. The New York race is part of the city’s memorial of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“The challenge this time around will be tougher,” Ciantar said.

“Last year we were new to this championship and we certainly took our opponents by surprise with the speed of our boat. This time, I’m sure they will be ready for us and we must make sure we have a faster boat.

“To this end, we’re trying to increase the horse power of our engines and will be making other changes to the set-up of our boats to ensure that we are capable of challenging for victory.”

The SBI Champ-ionship is not the only world title in Ukrainian Spirit team’s sights as they are bidding to compete in the UIM Cowes to Monte Carlo World Cup Grand Prix in June 2013.

The 2,400-mile run is a 15-day race that starts from Cowes and takes the participants to other nearby cities, namely Brest and Sable d’Olonne in France, Santander and Sada a Coruna in northern Spain, Cascais and Portimao in Portugal, the Strait of Gibraltar to Benalmadena, Alicante and Barcelona in southern Spain, on to Port Camargue in southern France and then to the final dash for the finish along the Cote D’Azur to Monte Carlo and Monaco.

New boat

“For our participation in the Cowes-Monte Carlo race we are planning to build a new boat,” Ciantar said.

“Given the demands of the race, we’d need a more powerful and reliable powerboat that can last the distance and, more importantly, mount a serious challenge for the coveted trophy.

“It’s an ambitious project but I relish the opportunity to compete against world-class opposition.”

Away from actual racing, the Ciantar family are looking to further strengthen their Chaudron brand.

“There is a big possibility that the Ukrainian Powerboat Association will include a new class in their national championship that will only consist of Chaudron boats,” Ciantar said.

“The plan is that we supply them with six Chaudron PRO S22, powered by a 200/225hp outboard engine, to be used in the Ukrainian national championship.

“Were this venture to materialise, it would certainly continue to boost our company’s image and that of our country in the powerboat scene.”