The Powerboat P1 world championship 2006 gets underway in Malta this afternoon with the first of the two races scheduled for the weekend.

This afternoon, there will be the endurance race with tomorrow's final session concluding the event.

Reigning Evolution Class champions Wettpunkt, led by boat owner and throttleman Hannes Bohinc, will be defending their title while in the SuperSport category, British duo Drew Langdon and Jan Falkowski, with Buzzi Bullet, have unfinished business after losing out to Jolly Drive in the closing stages of the 2005 campaign.

In this category Malta has its own boat, Chaudron, which will be in the capable hands of brother and sister team Aaron and Audrien Ciantar.

Up to 18 boats will be taking part in this year's championship, a far cry from the entry of six when Nathan Knight and KBL took over just three years ago.

Malta is now established as the season's curtain-raiser. After Malta, the series moves on to Anzio, Travemunde, Gallipoli and Cowes before its final port of call, the new venue of Oeiras (Lisbon).

The teams

Evolution class: Speedbuster (Italy), Alpo (Italy), Thuraya (Italy), Wettpunkt.com (Austria), OSG Donzi (Italy), Trident Kiton (Italy), Flanders Offshore Racing (Belgium).

SuperSport class: Ocean Dragon Racing (China), Club Italia Offshore (Italy), Inrizzardi Racing (Italy), Flanders Offshore Racing (Belgium), OBA OBA Racing (Italy), Chaudron (Malta), Buzzi Bullet Offshore (Britain), Albatro Marine (Italy), ARPRO Racing (Britain).