Lake Como Is Birthplace Of First Uim Race In 1981 !

COMO, Italy – 13th of July, 2006 – The beauty of the shoreline of Lake Como in Northern Italy hides its history dating back to pre-Roman times. The strategic location has always marked this spot as the gateway to the Southern Alps.

However, the action on the water when it comes to the speed and excitement of the sport of U.I.M. F1 power boat racing, dates its origins back to 1981 marking this weekend 10th Annual Grand Prix of Italy as its 25th anniversary summer of the first ever F1 race staged.

Hometown hero Renato Molinari was the hero that day on Lago di Como when he defeated Dutch driver Cees Van der Velden and French pilot Francois Salabert in his V-8 OMC powered Molinari boat that he and his brother built.

The following year, Molinari won again becoming the first of three multi-time winners of this event, followed by Roger Jenkins of Great Britain and Cees Van der Velden again on the podium.

Van der Velden finally made it to the top step in Como in 1983 with Molinari 2nd and USA’s Jimbo McConnel the first of a few Americans to have success on the lake in the history of the sport.

After an eight year break racing returned to Como and Welshman Jonathan Jones would win the first of two events in 3 years from 1991 to 1993 starting a string of three British drivers winning in a row with Steve Kerton taking the win in 1992.

The next native son, Guido Cappellini of Como would be the hero for the 21st century as he carries his three straight win streak into this weekends event with wins in 2000, 2004 and 2005.

This Sunday’s event will mark the 185th U.I.M. F1 start with American Scott Gillman of the Emirates Team leading the championship with 30 points on the strength of a pair of 2nd place finishes, with Cappellini and his teammate Ivan Brigada of the Tamoil Team each with a win and 20 points.