9:18 AM Wed 10 Mar 2010 GMT
Powerboat P1 Chairman, Asif Rangoonwala, attended the prestigious Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) Awards ceremony on Saturday, to help celebrate the feats of the world championship's top powerboat racing pilots in 2009.
Both Evolution and SuperSport Class winning trios from SNAV OSG and Ukrainian Spirit collected prizes at the gala dinner held in the fantastic location at the Salle Des Etoiles in Monaco.
Giovanni Carpitella, navigator for SNAV OSG and 2006 Powerboat P1 driver of the year recalled, 'The evening was beautiful and we were joined by the most important figures in the world of powerboating, but the highlight of the ceremony was Asif presenting us with our award, which was very exciting.'
The awards, an initiative of UIM President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, were held to honour and recognise the efforts of the national federations, pilots and race classes from all over the world, with sporting celebrities, UIM promoters and council members all on hand to draw the curtain on a successful season for powerboat racing.
'Gives prestige to international powerboating.'
The guest list included 77 out of the 97 World Champions with some travelling from as far away as North America and New Zealand. His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan from Abu Dhabi attended as the UIM's guest of honour as well as other top level international sports federation leaders such as the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).
Powerboat P1 champ, Giancarlo Cangiano, said 'I am extremely happy about the event and the way it has been organised. An award ceremony that gives prestige to international powerboating and that celebrates us as champions and sportsmen'.
'Last season was very challenging and celebrating our triumph with other champions has been a great way to motivate ourselves to strive for further glory in 2010.'
Three-time Powerboat P1 SuperSport Class World Champion, Angelo Tedeschi, was impressed by the venue, especially when knowledge reached him that music and sporting legends such as Michael Jackson and Michael Schumacher had previously graced the very same stage. 'It was a very pleasant and elegant gala dinner and it was very interesting to meet pilots from other powerboating categories,' said Tedeschi. 'It was the first time that the UIM has organised such an amazing dinner, and they truly deserve to be congratulated. Monaco is perfect for such events, it was a beautiful sunny day and the place was perfect.'
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by Powerboat P1
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Davis, TAS
