Can Silverline do it with all Drew respect?
by Martin Allerton on 9 Jun 2011
Silverline Martin Allerton
Drew Langdon will fly the flag for Britain in Silverline, a 42ft Fountain powerboat, when the Ocean Grand Prix of Malta powers into action this weekend.
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.
'You cannot tame these waters, only respect them,' explains Langdon. 'There is a tendency in the first race to want to blast off from the start but that would be folly.'
'We want to win, in flat water our boat can top 100mph, but this is Malta and waves of 15ft or more are not uncommon. When the boats lifts up then crashes back down it feels like hitting a brick wall, time and time again,' he continues. 'Our game plan for the first two rounds is simple; build a platform for the rest of the season by completing both races and getting the boat home in one piece, not
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The opening two rounds of the 2011 Ocean Grand Prix World Powerboat Championship takes place off Valletta at 4pm local time on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June.
Ocean Grand Prix http://www.powerboating.beWebsite
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