Guido Scoops Win After 51 Week Lapse

Lake Como, Italy, June 20, 2004… A bleak day greeted the UIM F1 Powerboat Championship drivers – with lightning and rain throughout the night ensuring dismal conditions at first testing this morning.

Strong winds and large waves continued relentlessly leading to a postponement of the race from three to six pm and a review of the course by the UIM officials, who were concerned with the safety of the drivers.

Finally, sunshine broke through the clouds, the water settled and twenty one boats roared into action for the start of the Grand Prix of Italy.  With more than 50,000 spectators lining the shores of the stunning Lake Como, the course was perfectly set for the most exciting and dramatic action - bringing the boats just inches from the edge of the inner harbour.

Pole position winner and current eight times World Champion, Guido Cappellini, looked impressive from the outset putting in one of the fastest laps of the race at 48.44.03 seconds.  Chasing hard behind, fellow Italian Fabio Comparato demonstrated he was a force to be reckoned with, holding off both Scott Gillman and Francesco Cantando until lap 20.

By lap 21 Cantando however decided to show his true colours.  Benefiting from a small mistake by Gillman he seized his moment, overtaking on the inside and passing Comparato straight into 2nd place.

With just 19 laps to go conditions started to change – with a slight increase in wind speed drivers were suddenly faced with even more unpredictable wave formations.  Unphased and typically used to more offshore conditions, Gillman pushed past Comparato and despite a damaged Picklefork moved into third position where he held his course until the chequered flag.

By lap 35, Cappellini was riding high with a clear lead ahead of Cantando.  Crossing the finish line he was clearly relieved – delighting in a win after a break of 51 weeks since his last success. 

“What a fantastic race,” beamed Cappellini.  “I am so happy to make a come back here in my home town.”  Cappellini now lies in 3rd position on the World Championship with 58 points behind Cantando in 2nd with 68 points and Scott Gillman lying 1st with 72 points.

Equally happy, Italian Francesco Cantando from the Singha F1 Racing team was thrilled with the race. “I managed to come from 6th position through to 2nd.  I pushed hard and chose my line carefully.  The whole race was incredibly satisfying for me,” he enthused.

Cappellini’s team mate, Marcello Menegatto was sadly not so lucky with propeller problems forcing him out of the race.  Similarly Fabrizio Bocca from the Rainbow Team Corona was plagued with engine problems from the start and despite three pit stops retired with just 4 laps to go.

A good race for Philippe Dessertenne of Team Ligier Sports, with a consistent race position of 6th place throughout.  Philippe is now 5th in the world championship with 32 points behind Finnish Sami Selio in 4th with 38 points.

Said F1 Powerboat Promoter, Nicolo di San Germano, “A later start for us than usual, however a very good race.  I’m grateful to the drivers for their careful yet exciting racing - the fans in Como certainly had quite a treat!”

The UIM F1 Powerboat Championship heads East to the Grand Prix of Shanghai on July 31 - August 1, 2004.  Racing will stay in Asia for the next six races visiting Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Bali – providing an even wider audience the chance to enjoy the thrills of the F1 Powerboats first hand.