Maltese crew benefits from challenger's penalty
Maltese hero Aaron Ciantar was the toast of Valletta on Sunday night after the Seagull Chaudron triumphed in Sunday’s second round Endurance Race to earn the new Ukrainian Spirit Team, its first Grand Prix trophy.
Cheered on by number one fan, The Prime Minister of Malta, Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, the pair continued their dominance of the SuperSport Class following Team 26 Racing’s four-minute penalty for over-speeding. The raw British pair of Daniel Cramphorn and Kim Collins were inconsolable at the post-race presentation having to look up to the home favourites instead of celebrating a debut Grand Prix win.
A jubilant Ciantar said:
“For me the Malta Grand Prix of the Sea is the most important race of the season, so to have the Prime Minister on the boat before the race and for the President, the Hon. George Abela, giving us the trophy, it was very special.”
Benefiting from Team 26 Racing’s over-eagerness on lap four and lap six, Baia Attolini was promoted to second in the overall standings. Aaron’s sister and co-pilot Shelley Jory took the bronze medal in the Endurance race, in Iko Cass – P1’s first all girl team.
In the Evolution class SNAV OSG proved to be the model of consistency as the crew of Giancarlo Cangiano and Hannes Bohinc claimed the Endurance race honours.
Profiting from Cigarette Smash Poker’s third lap retirement, courtesy of the Italian team’s crazy spin-out at the East end of the course, SNAV OSG romped home ahead of Silverline and mid-race pacesetters, Lucas Oil Budweiser, even affording the unusual luxury of dropping their speed to around 70mph safe in the knowledge that victory was assured.
Team Owner and Throttleman of OSG Racing, Giancarlo Cangiano said:
“Our partnership was improving lap by lap and this is a fantastic end to a great weekend for everyone associated with the team. We had a strategy, we kept to it and it paid off.”
Engine problems meant Cranefield Wines failed to make the starting line whilst the Metamarine Pignolo 53 did not race following Friday’s incident in practice.
