While the traditionally rough waters surrounding Malta never materialized, the Powerboat P1 season opening Malta Grand Prix of the Sea still provided exciting offshore racing and saw seasoned veterans capture the checkered flag in both Evolution and SuperSport classes, and an impressive showing for American boat and engine manufacturers. Saturday's Sprint Race and Sunday's Endurance Race culminated in a Grand Prix Evolution victory for the Italian #88 SNAV OSG, a Mercury Racing powered Outerlimits and a SuperSport win for the Italian 43 Seagull Chaudron, the Maltese made hull powered by Ilmor Performance Marine engines. All this after a number of penalty situations which can only be attributed to first race weekend jitters by those involved. Following an impressive Evolution win on Saturday, The Italian #10 Cigarette Smash Poker jumped to an early lead on Sunday, only to see the race end after a violent spin out in the fourth lap that filled the engine compartment with water. The American #77 Lucas Oil/Budweiser, a Chief-powered Outerlimits moved into the lead, but unbeknownst to them, broke a water pick-up line that started filling their bilge. As the water rose, the boat slowed, allowing Saturday's third-place finisher SNAV/OSG to move into first, and ultimately take the checkered flag, followed by Britain's #47 Silverline, a Sterling-powered Buzzi, and the #77. In the end, Lucas Oil/Budweiser and Silverline had a second and third place podium appearance for the Grand Prix. In SuperSport action, Team 26 Racing, following impressive wildcard finishes in 2008, picked through the pack on Saturday, moving from 7th place to second, and finishing first following speed limit penalties imposed on both the #38 Baia Atollini and #43 Seagull Chaudron. On Sunday, Seagull Chaudron, and the #44 Iko Case, another Chaudron hull with the female team of Shelly Jory and Adrienne Ciantar, whose family manufacturers the Chaudron hull and whose brother Aaron pilots the Seagull, left the pack at the green flag, but could not hold on as Team 26 made an move on the outside at the mid-way point in the race and never looked back. Team 26 was followed across the finish line by Seagull/Chaudron and Baia Atollini, a Donzi/Mercury package. However, the rookie team of Daniel Cramphorn and Kim Collins fell victims to the same rule that moved them up on Saturday and were penalized four minutes for violating the speed limit. After penalties, the endurance race win to Seagull Chaudron, with Baia Atonelli finishing second and the ladies of Iko Case taking third.
After all the sorting out was completed, the Supersport Grand Prix of the Sea ultimately went to Seagull Chaudron, with Baia Atollini taking second and Team 26 Racing finishing third. The World class racing of the Powerboat P1 Championship next move is to the historic new venue of Istanbul, Turkey, June 19-21 before moving on to Sweden, Italy and Bahrain. Additional good news for P1 also came during the opening race confirming San Benedetto del Tronto for the Italian Grand Prix of the Sea on the 3 to 5 July, and if the racing in September in Sicily will be confirmed this will make it for 12 total races in six different venues for the 2009 season, hoping this serves to encourage more teams to participate in both classes.
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