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he idyllic internationally renowned Spa
Resort of Evian-Les-Bains on the southern
shore of stunning Lac Leman, Europe’s
highest alpine lake, is the wonderful
setting for round 2 of the 2017 UIM
F1H2O World Championship and the
21st Grand Prix of France.
Of the 19 drivers from 12 countries who
raced in Evian in the previous two years,
most will realise that this holds little
advantage or comfort and favours no one
except possibly the bravest of the brave,
due to the unpredictability of the weather mixed with deceptive rolling
waves and the often delayed wake of the busy Lac Leman ferry traffic.
France is currently enjoying the limelight and top billing in world
powerboat racing, boasting the home based world championship
winning team, CTIC F1 Shenzhen China, the three-time and defending
world champion Phillippe Chiappe running a hull built in France,
and many countrymen who have dominated the World Endurance
Championship and made the Rouen 24hr their own.
But one prize that eludes the country is that a Frenchman is yet to win
an F1H2OGrand Prix on home waters.
Some of the biggest names in the sport have won in France; Van Der
Velden the first winner in 1981 inVichy, Molinari, Spalding, Jones, Boca,
Cappellini, Gillman and of the current crop of drivers, Selio and Carella.
But in the 20 previous Grand Prix hosted in Vichy, Lyon, Paris, Chalon
Sur Saone, La Rochelle and Evian, French success has been limited with
F1H2O
EVIAN
ALL SET FOR THRILLERAS DRIVERS
TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE THAT LIES
INWAITON LAC LEMAN
T
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n° 2 June | 2017