General News 13 September 2009 - SNAV OSG, the Mercury-powered Outerlimits powerboat, took control of the 2009 Powerboat P1 World Championship with an emphatic victory in the season’s penultimate round.

The form books were turned upside down on the opening lap as the German competitor, Cranefields Wine, blasted through the field to take the lead but a dramatic spin-out opened the door for the OSG Racing Team.

With three Grand Prix victories already under its belt, OSG then set about building a commanding lead, lapping Silverline twice in the process and winning the race by more than 40 seconds.

Behind them the Belgium boat, Furnibo, was battling with Italians, Cigarette Smash Poker and Metamarine for second place, Cigarette taking the spoils to maintain its championship challenge.

The predicted heavy conditions did not materialise, the leading boats powered around the twisting circuit on flat seas at speeds of over 100mph. At the back, Silverline, the current championship leaders, struggled for speed and it’s already slender lead was eroded even further.

Today’s result means that with just tomorrows 73 nautical mile endurance race remaining, SNAV OSG remains in second place in the Powerboat P1 World Championship, 35 points behind Silverline with Cigarette Smash Poker in third, 39 points behind OSG.

However, of the top three in the Evolution class, only SNAV OSG will qualify for 50 engine reliability bonus points should they complete tomorrows course and in doing so will move to the head of the class.

“This was a fantastic team performance and the boat ran perfectly.” confirmed OSG team owner and throttleman Giancarlo Cangiano excitedly.

“Since our set-back in Turkey we have been clawing back points race by race.

Now everything is in our hands. Tomorrow cannot come soon enough.”

It will be a nail biting finale but the tide has definitely turned in favour of OSG and this highly organised and professional Italian racing outfit looks and races like champions. 

However, this is motorsport, always unpredictable even before adding the elements and a track that is constantly moving; we all know that it’s rarely over ‘til the fat lady sings!

 The Sicilian Grand Prix of the Sea (Round 9)

Sprint Race Result– Evolution Class

1 - 88   -  SNAV OSG -  IT -  100

2 - 10 -  Cigarette Smash Poker -  IT - 90

3 - 33 -  Furnibo – BEL -81

4 - 53 - Metamarine Pignolo – IT - 73

5 - 77 -  Lucas Oil Outerlimits -  USA - 66

6 - 47 -  Silverline -  GBR   -  60

DNF - 66 -  Cranefields Wine -  DE