:: Chaudron Powerboats

The final countdown

(REPORT FROM TIMES OF MALTA)

The Seagull Chaudron rounding a buoy

"Concentration and determination is my focus. As expected, this year was a tough one with all the other boats closing in on us in every event. However, we are satisfied that we are sustaining our lead in a way that we need to use our final strategy just to win the World Championship for the second successive year... this is my goal, no more no less," stated with caution current P1 world champion Aaron Ciantar after the last race in the 2009 series in Sweden.

It has been quite a P1 World Championship for Chaudron Seagull (Spirit of Ukraine), a boat built by Aaron and his father Charlie, now owned by Ukraine navigator and team supremo Viktor Shemchuk. Taking off with a Malta GP win in May, Ciantar, along with his formidable partner Angelo Tedeschi and Shemchuk, snatched the lead in the SuperSport Class and never forfeited it for the next three events.

The Seagull trio chalked up two wins, four second places, a third and a fourth, in all picking up 764 points. That tally also includes an extra 50-point bonus secured for not changing an engine in the first part of the championship. This year's points system was the subject of heavy criticism as many claim that the actual format penalises the teams that try hard to win a race. In fact, it is being rumoured that the drivers will opt for the old points system next year.

However, this takes nothing from the anticipated hard fight expected for the last two races of the season, in Syracuse between September 11 and 13. Throughout the 2009 championship there was many a challenge that Chaudron Seagull had to endure. UK outfit, Team 26 on SW1 Capital, looked the best bet as a prime challenger with four wins but failed miserably when picking no points at all in two other races and just managed to scrape in a fourth and a sixth along the season.

This gives them no chance to catch up with the leaders even if they win the remaining two races. Italian team 38 Baia Attolini started rather slowly but picking points steadily until the sixth race in San Benedetto where they emerged worthy winners. They finished third in both races in Sweden earlier this month but are still in a position to topple leaders Seagull Chaudron from their perch and deprive them of the championship.

The Italians trail the no.43 blue and yellow boat by 28 points. So, it is imperative to show championship form next month in Sicily for them to finish on top. Meanwhile, the Malta Powerboat Federation is currently campaigning for local water motorsport enthusiasts to cross the channel and support Ciantar and his team for the remaining crucial weekend in Syracuse.

Ciantar is again on the verge of being crowned Supersport world champion for the second successive year. This will open a new chapter in the history of power-boating in Malta.