CAPPELLINI TO LEAD FIELD FOR 7TH GP OF PORTUGAL!
GILLMAN AND LADEFOGED ROUND OUT TOP 5!

PORTIMAO, Portugal: 21st of May, 2005 – Eight time world champion Guido Cappellini made a mistake on his first of two qualifying laps, but saved his best lap of the day for his 2nd and final run around the 8-pin course in the Arade River posting a 43.06 second lap to take the pole for tomorrow’s 7th Annual Grand Prix of Portugal the opening round of the 2005 U.I.M. F1 World Championship for power boating.

The lead driver of the Tamoil F1 Team was 2nd all day leading into the top-6 shootout, which this season has changed the rules where drivers are now having there times “zeroed” out and thus making them run two laps in order to establish a shot at pole position. American Scott Gillman, defending race and world champion, like Cappellini made a mistake on his first lap but gathered it up and pushed hard enough to take 2nd quick with a 43.47 second lap and .41 of second behind the native of Como.

Starting 3rd will be rapidly improving driver Gert Ladefoged who did a 44.42 effort in to make this 3rd spot for his DanIta Team the 2nd best in his career. Ladefoged like both Gillman and Cappellini is debuting new boats to the series this season.

Fourth quick was Saudi Laith Pharaon with a 45.04 improving from his 6th starting position coming into the shootout. It was Laith’s 42nd time in the shootout and a good effort in a new boat. Italian Fabio Comparato who came in 5th quickest, stayed that way with a time of 45.75 and hoping to continue his streak of finishing all 6 previous events in Portugal.

Rounding out the top 6 was unlucky Francesco Cantando of the Singha F1 Racing Team. As he was starting the first of his two first laps, his engine misfired ending his run with no official time forcing him to start in 6th position in the last shootout position.

Frenchman Philippe Dessertenne finished just outside the top 6 with a time of 46.53 while Finnish star Sami Selio in a brand new and radical designed boat was 8th 46.57 while Thany Al Qamzi the 2nd member of the Emirates Team was 9th with a 46.61 second lap. Rounding out the top 10 was Belgian Julius Leysen of the Selio F1 Team did a 47.29.

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:

Philippe Stiernon
Press Officer
Philippe@f1boat.com