The Malta Independent on Sunday - 6th May 2007

                                                                          Shelton and Hunt win in Malta

OSG, the Italian powerboat of Giancarlo Cangiano and Giovanni Carpitella, won the opening Grand Prix of the Powerboat P1 World Championship in Malta in a race that will long be remembered for high seas and unforgiving race conditions. Normally contested over two legs, dangerous sea conditions forced the cancellation of Sunday's race so the Grand Prix was decided on Saturday's results, with Wettpunkt.com in second and Kiton in third.

Although the Italian craft of Fainplast had crossed the line first in the Evolution Class, a protest was lodged and subsequently upheld that the Metamarine boat had missed a course buoy during the race. It resulted in disqualification.

In SuperSport, the result was much more decisive after an emphatic Round the Island performance by the Southampton-based husband and wife team of Mike Shelton and Jackie Hunt, despite waves of over 5 metres high. For many of the highly experienced seafaring racers, these were the worst conditions ever experienced, making the clear-cut win in Extremeboat, powered by Mercury Engines, even more impressive.

It was not without some relief to the battered and bruised boats and bodies that today's event was cancelled. Malta loves its P1 and the crowds respond in their tens of thousands. However, any initial disappointment for the large crowds was short lived when the organisers, in close co-operation with the Maltese Armed Forces and Civil Protection, created a time trial event within the stunning 'Fortress of the Mediterranean' Grand Harbour, Valletta.

The impromptu initiative, though not counting towards the Championship, was won by ExtremeBoat in SuperSport and in Evolution by the Outerlimits Powerboats team. The high speeds generated across the waters of the harbour by the all-American outfit will serve as a timely reminder, if one was needed, that Joe Sgro and Mike Fiore are not in Europe just to make up the numbers.

2007 Powerboat P1 World Championship Maltese Grand Prix of the Sea - Results
 

Cowes Online - May 6th 2007

The Times (Malta) - May 7th 2007

Reigning champions win in Malta

In SuperSport, the result was more decisive after an emphatic Round the Island performance by the British husband and wife team of Mike Shelton and Jackie Hunt driving Extremeboat. Conditions were some of the worse ever experienced for many taking part making this win even more impressive. (Full Story)
 

The Independent (Malta) - May 7th 2007

Business as usual as 2006 Champions win in Malta

In SuperSport, the result was much more decisive after an emphatic Round the Island performance by the British husband and wife team of Mike Shelton and Jackie Hunt, despite waves of over 5metres high. (Full Story)

Rough seas force powerboats to race in harbour

Rough seas ruined the second round of the opening Grand Prix of the Powerboat P1 World Championship in Malta, when organisers decided that giving the green light to the race would put participants and safety crews in too much danger, and called it off.   (For full story and some great pictures, click here)