All-girl team wins Grand Prix of the Sea Championship Turkey

by Sam Feasey on 22 Jun 2009
Shelley Jory and Audrien Ciantar cemented their places in the Powerboat P1 history books after becoming the first-ever all-girl team to win a Grand Prix of the Sea Championship in Turkey on Sunday.

Despite suffering a penalty for overspeeding – the only boat to do so in Sunday’s Endurance Race – #44 Ikocasa’s fourth-position in the SuperSport Class proved to be good enough and ensured the ladies spot in the deep-rooted annals of powerboat racing.

Reacting to the remarkable news, an overwhelmed Jory held back the tears after a grueling weekend’s racing on the stunning Bosphorus waterway in Istanbul. She said: 'To be the first all-lady team in any sport is pretty special but to make history is a completely different sensation.

'It’s wonderful to prove that we can actually go out there and regularly compete with the boys. Everyone was so supportive and congratulated us on a deserved victory.'

Paying tribute to her co-pilot, Jory highlighted the champion-pair’s instinctive understanding and positive communication as key components of their success. 'We both share the same passion, determination and ambition for powerboat racing. We communicate our feelings even whilst driving.

Their teamship was never more apparent during Sunday’s race when the Ikocasa hull backed off the #43 Ukrainian Spirit, consisting of Audrien’s brother Aaron, and Racing Project team chief Angelo Tedeschi, whilst jostling for second-position.

Jory added that Tedeschi was happy for the ladies to have their moment in the glorious Istanbul sunshine. 'He’s really chuffed but insisted that we shouldn’t get used to winning because this will be the only time we will get the better of them.'

Safe in the knowledge that the rest of the SuperSport Class teams will be going all-out to prevent a repeat performance in San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy, in two weeks time, Jory believes a top three finish is definitely the aim for the 2009 season.

Looking ahead to the next Grand Prix of the Sea in Italy, Jory says the extra race experience in Turkey can only reap richer rewards in the future. 'We’re definitely going there with more confidence. We have driven Baia Attolini off the course today and we’ll certainly be heading to Italy with more trust in our abilities. Personally i’ve driven 40 more bends this weekend – that’s more than Malta - so we’re a lot happier together and with our awesome Chaudron boat.

'Everyone’s going to up their game in Italy. That’s the beauty of Powerboat P1 - the competition just gets hotter – Team SW1 Capital, Seagull and Baia Attolini will all be pushing harder but rest assured we’ll be right up there again.'

Turkish Grand Prix of the Sea SuperSport Standings:

1. #44 Ikocasa - 173 points
2. #38 Baia Attolini - 171
3. #43 Seagull Chaudron - 163
4. #17 MasForce - 147
5. #28 Blue Shaft - 121
6. #26 Team SW1 Capital - 100
7. #22 Big Sergio - 60

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