Abu Dhabi (U.A.E), Monday, 22 September 2003 - The next round of the 2003 U.I.M (Union Internationale Motonautique) F1 Powerboat Championship is scheduled for October 5th at the magnificent Mines Resort just 20 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The resort is a self-contained tropical paradise surrounding a vast lake.
In the last race Italian Francesco Cantando won for the second time this season at the 1.5km 7-turn course in the inner harbour of Stralsund, Germany (August 3rd, 2003). The victory propelled him back into the top spot of the UIM World Championship - tied with Guido Cappellini on 55 points. After a closely fought Grand Prix in Stralsund, the UIM FI Powerboat Championship continues to offer the same excitement as the 2003 FIA Formula One Championship: Until now, every race has been closely fought and there has been no decisive outcome in either the Constructors' or Drivers' title chase. The final five rounds promise even greater excitement as the championships look set to go down to the wire.
This will be the fourth time that F1 Powerboat Racing has been in Malaysia. The race has twice been at Johor Bahru, once on October 15, 1994 and then on February 25, 2001. In August 2002, the UIM Powerboat series were guests of Kuala Lumpur and this year return to the city to Kuala Lumpur on October 5. Given Malaysia's historical and cultural association with the sea, as well as the importance of sport to the development of tourism, it makes sense for F1 Powerboat Racing to become a fixture on Malaysia's sporting calendar.
Nicolo di San Germano, Promotor of the UIM F1 World Championship: "It is always a pleasure to return to Malaysia. The evolution of top-level, international powerboat racing in Malaysia reflects the emotion and affection of the Malaysian people for water sports throughout history. This race is one of the five races remaining this year in a high competitive season. It also gives me great pleasure to congratulate H20, organisers of the 4th Malaysian Powerboat Grand Prix, for their commitment to high quality powerboat racing.
This is the story of a friendship developed over these four years of racing which has produced spectacular results. Now, we plan to go forward, and, in agreement with the far-sighted H2O Sports' Chairman his highness Prince SULAIMAN SHAH AL-HAJ and with Dato' Yahya A Jalil, H20 Managing Director and Chief Executive, we will work to start a new era of excellence in the sport. It made me very proud in 2002 to give our special award for the best organised F1 Powerboat racing event to DatoÕ Yahya A Jalil for the second year in a row.
Malaysia is an excellent platform for the development of the sport in the entire area in South Asia.
A total of 11 teams have registered for the 2003 World Championship Malaysian race. A field of 25 drivers representing 15 nationalities is expected for the Malaysian round of the UIM Championship. The F1 Powerboat World Championship 2003 calendar consists of following events: Portugal, Finland, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. -- Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
