Italians prove their worth on land and Quays of Waterford

ITALIANS definitely do it better. Not alone did they prove they were king of the waters in the weekend Formula One Grand Prix of powerboating in Ireland, scooping first and second place.

But they were also the babe magnets and Casanovas of the two day event in Waterford, being followed by droves of tanned, leggy blondes in tight tank tops everywhere they ventured. Winner, Francesco Cantando, and fellow Italian, Guido Cappellini, were showered by kisses as they lined up on the winner’s podium.

Their pit teams too managed to get in on the action as the smell of jet fuel emissions, mixed with the strong aroma of cologne and the waft of strong cigarettes sent pulses on land and on water racing to about 140 mph.

Bord Fáilte, the chief sponsors of the inaugural event on the Quays in Waterford, estimated they would attract up to 40,000 visitors for the third last leg of the World Championship event.

But numbers surpassed all expectations as up to twice that lined both sides of the quays and the bridge which links Waterford with Kilkenny. The buzz and zip of the engines drowned out everything else with the thrills and spills of the fibre-glass boats enthralling all gathered.

“It has been the most successful marine event ever held in our city,” a very sunburnt mayor of Waterford, Cllr Oliver Clery, said. “We have nothing but the best of praise for UIM, the body running this event, and for everyone who helped out. We also commend Bord Fáilte for its sponsorship and for making this event possible.

“The people of Waterford have taken this event to their hearts. We sincerely hope now that it will become an annual event. Its brought between 1.5 million and 2 million to our city this weekend and there’s not a bed to be had in a bed and breakfast or a hotel for miles.”

Waterford definitely did its utmost to make all nationalities feel welcome.

The message on pay points in car parks along the quays was translated into various key European languages for the weekend. And while yesterday was overcast, Saturday’s blazing sunshine meant Formula One fans could have thought they were in Monza and not on the quay-front in the picturesque city. Every possible vantage point was taken up, from windows to phone boxes to tree tops. Everyone wanted to get in on the action.

While the Italians may have been a huge hit with the ‘beautiful people’, first time Irish competitor, Will Chambers, was the people’s champion, as was three time world champion, Jonathan Jones of Wales. Unfortunately, the Fermanagh man had to retire with gear-box trouble half way through.

The Welsh hero said it was brilliant to be back in a Powerboat again after 15 months out of competitive racing. He came back just for the Waterford event and will not be joining his fellow competitors who now head for the United Arab Emirates. But the biggest winner of the entire weekend has to have been Waterford. Live coverage and highlights of the event were beamed into 60 countries world wide with the Formula Event attracting an estimated 500 million viewers over the weekend. Now that’s exposure nobody could buy.