Pulses have been racing during an action packed weekend of world championship powerboating with the sun drenched resort of San Benedetto del Tronto providing perfect race conditions for the opening two rounds in the 2008 Powerboat P1 season.

With 22 teams competing for the prestigious UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship title, the British proved their prowess with VoomVoom.com and Fountain Worldwide racing to victory to take the overall Italian Grand Prix of the Sea title in the SuperSport and Evolution Classes

The Italian Grand Prix also marked the first ever podium place for a woman in the Evolution class, with Lucas Oil’s Southampton born pilot Shelley Jory finishing second in Saturday’s round and third in Sunday’s race.

“It’s been an incredible weekend and I’m absolutely thrilled to become not only the first woman to race in the P1 Evolution class but to finish on the podium in my very first outing of the season. I was apprehensive about taking the jump from previous racing experience with a smaller boat but the team really gelled and it all came together,” said Shelley.

VoomVoom.com throttleman Gareth Williams also celebrated his debut with a victory. “We have a superb team behind us and would not be on the water without them; the boat ran beautifully. It’s been a brilliant weekend and I’m looking forward for the next race in Marseille in two weeks’ time.