It was an exciting, yet serene, occasion lacking the speed and anxiety that have characterised the past five months of tough competitive racing making up the 2009 Championship.
The occasion was a special Awards Night, organised by the Malta Powerboat Federation and held at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, in honour of Aaron Ciantar who, together with team-mates Italian Angelo Tedeschi and Ukrainian Victor Shemchuk, won the SuperSport Class of the 2009 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship.
Victor Shemchuk, owner-navigator of Chaudron-built winning boat Seagull Ukrainian Spirit was present for the evening while Angelo Tedeschi regrettably could not attend.
The Awards Night was held under the patronage of Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport, Mr Clyde Puli, who prior to presenting Aaron Ciantar with a trophy in recognition of his success, praised the young sportsman for his achievements - two consecutive world champion titles – which depict the ability and personality of Maltese youth. Mr Puli also congratulated the firm Chaudron of the Ciantar family whose record – three consecutive world titles – gave the brand an identity amongst the racing elite.
Also in Malta especially for the Awards was Jean-Marie Van Lancker, Administrator in the UIM Council, President of the UIM Pleasure Navigation Commission and P1 representative.
Mr Van Lancker congratulated Seagull Ukrainian Spirit and Chaudron for their success and remarked that since his very first participation Aaron Ciantar made an immediate impact on the Championship and today he is acknowledged as one of the leading driver on the P1 circuit.
Mr Teddie Borg, President of the Malta Powerboats Federation, emphasised the significance of the local success at this level of play. Competition in the P1 champion has become ever so tough where top drivers of different nationalities challenge for honours. This also applies to the boat-builders sphere.
Various trophies were presented including that by Mr Paul Cassar, Beverage Manager at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, to Charles Ciantar on behalf of Angelo Tedeschi, Teddie Borg to Victor Shemchuk, Norbert Pace, Mayor of Attard, to the members of the winning team, and Charles Ciantar to Teddie Borg.
Ms Roselle Borg and Ms Sandra Pace presented flower bouquets to Audrianne Ciantar for her endeavour as a member of the first all-female team in P1.
Also present for the Awards Night were Mr Chris Agius MP, Labour spokesman for Sport, Mr Robert Musumeci, Mayor of Siggiewi, Mag. Dr Consuelo Scerri Herrera and Dr Jose’ Herrera MP.