King of Shaves Win P1 Italian Grand Prix

Posted in: King of Shaves Powerboat
By The Sponsorship Team
1 May 2007 - 2:56:54 PM

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Briton's James Sheppard and Craig Wilson continued their domination of the Italian Grand Prix of the Sea in the King of Shaves P1 powerboat.

With an outright win they took the GP title in a hard fought contest featuring spectacular action and a determined challenge from Wettpunkt.com and the-American Outerlimits Powerboats team. Always in contention, the Austrian Wettpunkt team, led by Hannes Bohinc, looked capable of spoiling the party but despite moving within ten seconds of the Fountain-backed King of Shaves, did not appear to have quite enough horse power to bridge the gap.

With enthusiastic crowds lining the sun-drenched Naples shoreline, the diesel powered Kiton, piloted by Giuseppe Salvatori, Luciano Capuano and Maurizio di Stasio, led the field as today's second-leg got underway, putting several boat lengths between themselves and the chasing pack. However, the early sign of pace was short-lived as the Ilmor-powered Fountain and the Isotta Fraschini's of Wettpunkt took command.

As the two front-runners pulled away, holding station until the chequered flag, it was the nail-biting port-to-starboard battle between the Metamarine-built boats of Fainplast and Kiton that captivated the crowds. When, on lap three Kiton slowed, Fainplast moved into third with Outerlimits fourth. A mechanical problem later forced Fainplast to retire enabling the American's to take the final podium position. A third place was an exceptional performance from the American Lucas Oil- Outerlimits crew of Mike Fiore and Nigel Hook, who had been forced to add additional weight to the boat and then, as today's race began, suffered a drenching at the hands of Wettpunkt.com.

The local favourites, OSG, made a miraculous 'last-minute' appearance after yesterday's spectacular sinking! Working throughout the night and morning to repair the boat, it eventually took the start one lap down. The courageous pair of Giancarlo Cangiano and Giovanni Carpitella provided the appreciative crowds with a true show but were unable to make their mark in a race dominated throughout the weekend by King of Shaves, Wettpunkt.com and Outerlimits. These three took first, second and third respectively in today's encounters and the same positions in the Evolution class of the Powerboat P1 Italian Grand Prix of The Sea.

Italian Grand Prix of the Sea Results (Evolution Class)
Position, Name (Number), Nationality, Total Points
1. King of Shaves (99), British: 200 points
2. Wettpunkt.com (81), Austrian: 160 points
3. Lucas Oil Outerlimits (97), American: 120 points
4. Kiton (90), Italian: 50 points
5. SIF (75), Italian: 40 points [Wild Card]
6. The Switch (67), French: 30 points [Wild Card]
7. OSG Racing (88), Italian: 20 points
8. Fainplast (64), Italian: 10 points

Round Four Results (Evolution Class)
Position, Name (Number), Nationality, Total Points
1. King of Shaves (99), British: 100 points
2. Wettpunkt.com (81), Austrian: 80 points
3. Lucas Oil Outerlimits (97), American: 60 points
4. Kiton (90), Italian: 50 points
5. SIF (75), Italian: 40 [Wild Card] points
6. The Switch (67), French: 30 [Wild Card] points
7. OSG Racing (88), Italian: 20 points
8. Fainplast (64), Italian: 10 points

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