Cantando Wins 2nd Straight; Cappellini 2nd!

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: (24TH NOVEMBER) — American Scott Gillman did what he needed to do, finish on the podium finishing 3rd in the race to take his 2nd World Championship on the U.I.M. F1 World Championship tour for power boating.

The native of Basalt, Colorado finished the season with 143 points, two ahead of young Italian Francesco Cantando who won his 2nd race in two weeks and his 3rd of the season taking the lead from leader and 5-time World Champion Guido Cappellini on the 28th lap of the 38 lap event.

Cappellini and Gillman battled from the green light as Cappellini held the line into the first turn forcing Gillman into 2nd. Cantando was charging up from his 16th position to 6th and in 10 laps pass Gillman for 2nd. On the 19th lap Salem Al Khattal spun out hitting the first bouy and losing his cowling and dropping out of the event. On the restart Cantando took up his run to Cappellini finally passing him 8 laps later and never trailed. Cappellini tried in vain to catch him missing the turn pin at turn 2 and forcing himself to do a 360 degree turn dropping further back in 2nd.

Gillman in capturing his 2nd title cruised his way for the final 18 laps finishing 5 seconds ahead of young Italian Ivan Torta who was 4th. Finland’s Sami Selio was 5th in a fine effort in his OMC engined craft.

Gillman, team captain of the 3 boat Emirates team saw his teammate Awad Al Qubaisi go no further than the start dock failing to start while rookie pilot Atiq Al Qumzi was 7th on great run in his 2 litre powered machine.

Jonathan Jones who qualified 2nd ran just 7 laps before dropping out while Massimo Roggiero was disappointed not finishing with a 14th place finish after sitting in the 4th position.

So, Gillman wins his 2nd World Championship adding to his total after winning in his rookie season in 1997. His key to winning the title was consistency this season with 9 podium finishes in 12 starts including the last 5 races in a row either 2nd or 3rd along with his pair of wins this season. All in all a great season for the 41 year old and for the Emirates team.

The 2001 season kicks off in late February with Gillman looking for his hat-trick of world titles. See you there!