The man behind the world motorboat championship... F1H2Oto try to revive the once powerful class.
Nicolò di San Germano successfully leads the "water Formula 1" - class F1H2O - and was able to achieve a steady increase in spectator interest in the championship, but with ocean racing he is unlikely to go as smoothly. In recent years, the Class 1 championship has overcome problems. Most of them come from the fact that the championship has gradually turned from a real ocean racing into a series of races held on short circuits near the coast. Initially, it was done with the good aim of attracting crowds of fans and making life easier for the TV people responsible for the broadcasts, but the hopes were not realized. Apart from local support from the authorities of the host cities, the organizers did not achieve much effect, and the result was a racing series, which now barely gathers six regular participants.
San Germano, however, does not plan any radical changes, believing that the basis of future success Class 1 should be a good number, communication and clear and fair rules. According to him, "the goal is to have at least ten boats in the race, and I think we've already done that part because more than ten crews have shown interest before the start of the season.
The new promoter plans to present the calendar of the series for 2011 in the nearest future. Well, let's see if he can get the support he needs for the further development of this sport.
Meanwhile, the "first swallows" have already appeared in the series: the decision to return to Class 1 this year has already been announced by the famous British, eight-time world champion Steve Curtis from Qatar. In mid-2009, he and the entire Qatari team left the series after a disagreement with its leadership.
The head of the team, Sheikh Hassan Al-Thani, who also pilots one of the boats of the Spirit of Qatar 96 team (Curtis races with him as a trottleman) said that "the main reason for our return to Class 1 is the dramatic change in the rules of the series and the fact that the series now has a new promoter. All races will now be led by a new group of UIM officials. Again, I would like to see the introduction of clear rules, and in the case of their violation - do not wait weeks until the announcement of the decision" - did not refrain from the sheik from falling out at the former authorities.
Both teams' boats are now heading back to the Middle East after restructuring in the U.S. to allow the Sheikh and his team of mechanics to complete their preseason preparation.
