Malta, Turkey, Italy, Sweden and Sicily are five destinations offering diverse appealing characteristics and varied climatic temperaments as well as taste disparity in cooking, beverages, cultures and traditions.
Yet, this year these five localities presented a unified backdrop for a mammoth challenge where daring pilots in their powerful machines endeavour to conquer the sea and all competition in their way to become Powerboat P1 world champions.
Once again, since our first involvement in 2004, local interest in this spectacular manifestation goes beyond the fact that Malta has today established itself as a prime annual venue of the championship.
Aaron and Audrienne Ciantar, of Chaudron fame, while experiencing different fortunes, are figuring prominently among the field of participants.
Aaron is driver of Seagull Chaudron (Ukrainian Spirit) which, after three of the five-event championship programme, leads the SuperSport Class with 593 points, 19 ahead of Baia Attolini (Italy).
The Ukrainian Spirit crew also includes Italian Angelo Tedeschi (throttle) and team owner and navigator Viktor Shemchuk.
Seagull Chaudron won the Malta Grand Prix of the Sea, and two second placings in both Istanbul (Turkey) and San Benedetto del Tronto (Italy).
"Ideal weather prevailed in the first three meetings which made it a smooth run for all competitors. I tend to prefer inclement conditions as racing at 85mph in rough weather the Chaudron performs better," remarked Aaron whose P1 experience is proving fruitful and rewarding after years of hard work and commitment both as a driver and as a boat-builder.
In 2005, his second year around, he had his first taste of P1 victory when in a Chaudron boat, crewed together with his sister Audrien, they won third place in the SuperSport championship.
In 2007, the 41-foot Chaudron-built Racing Project, competing under the name of Roscioli Hotels Roma and piloted by Italian team owner Tedeschi, clinched the SuperSport P1 championship title.
Together with Tedeschi were crew members Fabio Magnani and Ugo Pellegrino.
Last year came Aaron's most rewarding personal moment of triumph when together with Tedeschi in another Chaudron-built entry, named Conam Yachts, he was crowned Supersport champion.
A most noteworthy comment on the Maltese boat-builders came from Shemchuk, president of the Ukrainian Federation of Powerboats. He said: "We are very happy that Ukrainian Spirit came into P1 under the name of Chaudron as we think they are one of the best boat-building companies in Europe."
"Besides giving Aaron an opportunity to satisfy his passion for speed, our participation in P1 races also opened new business horizons for Chaudron," declared Charles Ciantar, founder and mentor behind Chaudron Powerboats.
"Our boats have been acquired and raced by Italian, Belgian and Ukraine owners and are highly regarded on the international circuit."
Standing in fourth position of the SuperSport Class is Iko Casa, the second Chaudron boat in this year's championship owned by Racing Project, of Italy.
Crewed by Shelley Jory (driver) and Audrienne Ciantar (throttle), they make P1's first ever all-female team.
"Iko Casa were unlucky to experience some wiring problems during the Endurance Race in Italy which made them forfeit precious points," remarked Aaron who still believes that "the girls are strong enough to finish in the top three".
The next appointment on the 2009 Powerboat P1 calendar is Gothenburg, Sweden, to be raced this weekend.
This will be the fourth of five meetings with Syracuse in Sicily earmarked to host this year's P1 finale on September 11-13.
The 14 competing teams hail from Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Belgium, the US and Ukraine.
Current standings
Evolution Class: 1. Silverline 500 points; 2. SNAV OSG 381; 3. Cigarette Smash Poker 371; 4. Lucas Oil Outerlimits 337; 5. Furnibo 270; 6. Cranefields Wine 205; 7. Metamarine Pignolo 202.
SuperSport Class: 1. Seagull Chaudron 593 points; 2. Baia Attolini 574; 3. MasForce 483; 4. Iko Casa 451; 5. Team SW1 Capital 333; 6. Blue Shaft 302; 7. Big Sergio 214.