Norwegian Bjorn Gjelsten and Britain's Steve Curtis driving Spirit?of Norway won their fourth race of the season at a dramatic Austrian Grand Prix on Lake Traunsee on September 14.
Norwegian Bjorn Gjelsten and Britain’s Steve Curtis driving Spirit?of Norway won their fourth race of the season at a dramatic Austrian Grand Prix on Lake Traunsee on September 14.
It was the first offshore event to be based at an Austrian venue. It was also one full of drama when a spectacular crash on the opening lap saw championship contenders, Bill Barry-Cotter and Peter McGrath from Australia, escape injury after their catamaran, Martimno Offshore, disintegrated.
Producing an outstanding performance in their first race together, Bernhard Bellmann and American ace Randy Scism aboard Jotun finished second to give Ugland Offshore Racing its best result of the season as Italians Edoardo Polli and Lamberto Leoni in Highlander filled third slot. Sheikh Hassan Al-Thani of the UAE together with Italian Matteo Nicolini in Damas in fourth place was the only other finisher.
The Gjelsten/Curtis duo now command a virtual unassailable lead in the series, having a total score of 95 points, a clear 40 points ahead of their nearest rivals, Edoardo Polli and Lamberto Leoni.
To see Maritimo Offshore‘s spectacular accident view the video via the link on Motor Boat & Yachting’s homepage.
