September 24, 2008

Powerboat P1 - Portimao, Portugal Preview

The final way point of the 2008 Powerboat P1 championship, follows the 2007 schedule in Portimao, Portugal. This was an unannounced ending to the championship, replacing the final race of Bahrain, as of from August when P1 management advised the cancellation to the Gulf stop, moving it to 2009. An unhappy move especially to the teams still fighting for the championship.
In Supersport Class the title is already decided by 2007 winner 44 Conam Yachts, what will be the usual unstoppable run from the Italian Maltese team, but fighting will for sure be seen in the battle for second place between 7 Microlink PC and 38 Baia High Performance lying in third.
In the prime Evolution class, the title is still undecided, with 2007 winners Fountain World Wide being a second away for repeating there success, with the Italians of 88 Kiton Outerlimits and 60 GFN Gibellato for sure trying to spoil the party for the English USA boat. Surprise for the title contenders can come from 53 Pignolo lying in fourth place, with a big chance of stealing a third and if lucky even a second place in the final run. Another announced change of script in the Evolution race are the pending appeals of 10 Fantastic 1 regarding last race in Vigo and 60 GFN Gibellato race in Marseilles, France, which can affect the title closing dramatically.
Racing in 2008 has been fantastic, but from here we send the message that the P1 organisation machine can improve. The thinking of the 2008 season is that the first six races starting in a 6 week period effected dramatically the outcome of the championship favoring the teams with the older boats. The Bahrain cancellation also shortened the title fight, especially in the Evolution Class where the contenders mainly 60 GFN Gibellato and 88 Kiton Outerlimits where showing there best after the race in Malta. The racing was nice and fast, but the title winning which in P1 tradition has always been decided in the final run was a bit less enthusiastic compared to previous years, so from here we hope for a longer, more viewable challenge and better competition for the 2009 season.
www.powerboatp1.com

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