2007 Powerboat P1 World Championship - Italian Grand Prix of the Sea

King of Shaves takes the win and the glory in P1 Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, May 27. Briton's James Sheppard and Craig Wilson continued their domination of the Italian Grand Prix of the Sea with another outright win to take 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

Grand Prix of the Sea Results - Evolution
Pos. - No. - Boat Name - Nationality - Points

1. - 99 - King of Shaves - British - 200
2. - 81 - Wettpunkt.com - Austrian - 160
3. - 97 - Lucas Oil Outerlimits - American - 120
4. - 90 - Kiton - Italian - 50
5. - 75 - SIF - Italian - 40 [Wild Card]
6. - 67 - The Switch - French - 30 [Wild Card]
7. - 88 - OSG Racing - Italian - 20
8. - 64 - Fainplast - Italian - 10

Round Four Results - Evolution
Pos. - No. - Boat Name - Nationality - Points

1. - 99 - King of Shaves - British - 100
2. - 81 - Wettpunkt.com - Austrian - 80
3. - 97 - Lucas Oil Outerlimits - American - 60
4. - 90 - Kiton - Italian - 50
5. - 75 - SIF - Italian - 40 [Wild Card]
6. - 67 - The Switch - French - 30 [Wild Card]
7. - 88 - OSG Racing - Italian - 20
8. - 64 - Fainplast - Italian - 10

Source: KBL Powerboat Management Limited