ITALIANS DO A JOB IN EVOLUTION
Saturday 04 July 2009
OSG celebrate its new deal
Two spin outs at the south end of Lingomare course ultimately shaped the destiny of the Evolution race. A stunning start from Cigarette Smash Poker saw them take an early lead from rivals SNAV OSG and Metamarine.
However, while in pursuit of the race leader, the SNAV OSG boat spun out at the end of the opening lap to drop back into third.
Having regained second place at the expense of Metamarine, SNAV OSG pressurised the then race leader Cigarette Smash Poker into an error which saw them spin out six laps into the nine lap race.
After a difficult weekend in Istanbul a fortnight ago, it was a lead Giancarlo Cangiano and Giovanni Carpitella would not relinquish to move the Outerlimits hull back into Championship contention.
A jubilant Cangiano told the waiting media afterwards: "Luca [Formilli Fendi] and myself likened the battle to a boxing match with the way we both spun out and fought each other for the lead. We both perhaps tried too hard around the same corner. It is a risky turn.
"Every race this season has been exciting, but this was one was especially exciting as both Cigarette and ourselves had the same opportunities to win the race."
Cigarette Smash Poker, with Luca Formilli Fendi and Matteo Nicolini on board, finished second while local favourites Marco Pennesi and Luca Nicolini, claimed the third and final podium spot in their Metamarine boat.
Cigarette driver Luca Formilli Fendi was gracious in defeat. "It was a tough race, very close. I am just very sorry we could not give the fans a better finish after our spin out towards the end of the race."
German outfit #66 Cranefields Wine had briefly threatened to gatecrash the Italian domination on the podium, but were content with a seasons-best fourth position.
A broken propellor put paid to any hopes #77 Lucas Oil Outerlimits had of threatening the race leaders and pre-race leaders #47 Silverline completed seven of the nine laps to take 60 points.