High winds2 and rough seas yesterday prevented the Powerboat P1 Safety Craft from leaving Valletta Harbour, resulting in the postponement of yesterday's official practice session.

The weekend's racing is, however, not affected and the teams, based on Viset Waterfront, are adding the finishing touches to their race preparation, ready to embark upon the two legs of the Portomaso Grand Prix of Malta, Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2005 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship.

Race boats will leave Valletta Harbour at 2.30pm today, departing at 30-second intervals as they gather for the 3pm start of Round 1 of the 2005 Portomaso Grand Prix of Malta.

With two minutes to go a sky flare will alert the P1 teams of the imminent start to the Grand Prix. The boats will turn and follow the Start Boat at speed towards the start line in front of the Portomaso Tower and then, they're off!

Tomorrow’s Rally Circuit Race will also start at 3pm, with boats leaving the Grand Harbour just after 2pm.

The fast, competitive action from the 2005 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship will be broadcast worldwide to over 70 countries and a potential TV audience of 100 million.