Powerboat P1 20 March 2009 -- Hannes Bohinc, one of the world’s most decorated powerboat racers, will return to the top flight in 2009 when he joins the Italian OSG Racing Team, partnering 2006 P1 World Champion, Giancarlo Cangiano, for an all-out assault on the Powerboat P1 World Championship.

It is an intriguing partnership for two powerboating heavyweights, both with a steely determination to win and the last of the gentleman racers. Austrian Bohinc, 49, the 2005 P1 World Champion, last competed for the world title in 2007 whilst Cangiano has remained an ever present, following up on his 2006 victory with second place and third place in the preceding years.

The pairing will race SNAV OSG, the US-built Outerlimits SV-43, powered by Mercury twin 9.1litre supercharged V8s, capable of generating over 1500hp.

“We recently tested the boat on Lake Como and I was very impressed with the engine/boat combination, especially the responsiveness and acceleration out of turns,” explains Bohinc, whose achievements spanning two decades have been exclusively diesel powered.

“I am happy to be joining OSG. Giancarlo is a gentleman and an accomplished powerboat racer. He does things the right way with passion and excellence. It promises to be a very exciting season.”

After his success in the 2008 Round Britain, and with his appetite for world class endurance racing rekindled, Bohinc had originally decided to race his own boat, Wettpunkt.com, in the English classics until speaking with Cangiano in January.

“Giancarlo knew I was preparing to go racing,” continues Bohinc. “He told me that he needed ballast on one side of his boat to keep it flat in the water. It was the invitation of a gentleman and I said yes."

The Naples-based OSG Racing Team, is respected throughout Europe for its achievements, and the involvement of the experienced Bohinc is certain to provide further impetus on and off the water.

“It will be a very tough and competitive season,” confirms Cangiano, OSG team owner and throttleman, “but we both know what it takes to win at this level. This arrangement also makes financial sense in such difficult economic times and we are excited to be co pilots after competing against each other for many years. The first race can’t come soon enough!”

The Powerboat P1 World Championship, comprising 10 races over 5 events, starts in Valletta, Malta over the weekend of 9/10 May.