The Malta Ocean Grand Prix world championship fot off to a flying start in Grand Harbour yesterday with the race for pole position.

One of the great absentees this year is the Ukrainian spirit as Ukrainian owner has refused to take part after unconfirmed reports that he was in disagreement with the organisers.

Such a decision means that our own Aaron Ciantar will not be able to fly Malta’s colours in the Evolution Class, somthing with which we had become accustomed in recent years, when he also became a world champion.

The Belgian powerboat Furnibo, piloted by Frank Hemelaer and Pierre Colpin, secured pole position for today’s first leg of the UIM Malta Ocean Grand Prix, ahead of Swedish-American challenger, Lucas Oil, by just 0.6 seconds.

With only four seconds separating the top three boats as they raced into Marsamxett Harbour, an exciting season beckons in the Evolution class.

In Supersport, the winner was Karelpui, the Italian craft of Giusseppe and Antonio Schiano di Cola and Francesco Calo. Fellow Italians, Federico Montanari, Alfredo Zanardo and Giambattista Gabriele, in the Yanmar-powered Jolly Drive were second.

Drew Langdon is flying the flag for Britain in Silverline, a 42ft Fountain powerboat.

The Exeter-based property developer, the most experienced throttleman in the newly formed endurance world championship, will take on the best of Europe and the USA as he starts his Evo title challenge in the 1400 horse-power craft, alongside fellow Brit, Miles Jennings.

Langdon has raced in world championship events for more than a decade and understands the pressure facing the pilots as they prepare for the opening event amid the unpredictable and often treacherous seas off Malta.

Today’s first race of the 2011 UIM-OGP World Endurance Championship will start at 4pm local time and comprise 10 laps, 47 miles in total.