Welmax Offshore Racing has confirmed that the team will run a two-boat entry in their bid for title honours in 2010, with Strømøy joining her fellow Norwegians Jorn Tandberg and Kolbjorn Selmer and the second newcomer to the team, Italian, Giorgio Manuzzi.

Born in Sandefjord, Norway and now living in Oslo, thirty-three-year-old Strømøy made her racing debut in 1989 at the age of twelve.  In 1993 she started racing in S-550, winning the European Championship three times (1996, 1998, 1999) and the Nordic Championship twice (1996, 1999).  In 2000 she moved up to race in F-2000, and was voted ‘rookie of the year’, finishing second in the UAE Presidents Cup in 2002, second in the Nordic Championship in 2005 and third in the European Championship in 2007. She became the first woman to compete in the F1 World Powerboat Championship in 2007, taking third overall in the Team Cup in 2009.  She has also competed in the legendary Rouen 24-hour race, finishing on the podium three times (second in 2009 and third in 2006/7).

Powerboat P1 Chief Operating Officer, Robert Wicks, welcomed the agreement as a new dawn for the series and the sport. He said: “Securing the first-ever live broadcast of any powerboating world championship event on Eurosport is a coup.

“Eurosport is a major force in sports broadcasting and over the past two years we have developed the series to the point where it too has recognised the untapped potential of the sport and are excited about taking Powerboat P1 to new audiences.

“The broadcaster’s commitment to a live broadcast is a great endorsement of all the work we have put in to enhancing our coverage and the racing spectacle in recent years.”

Eurosport will be extending the reach of the fastest growing powerboat racing competition in the world to 59 countries, into 118 million homes and in 20 languages across Europe.

Sicily Minister for Tourism, Communication and Transport, Nino Strano, commented: “This is a wonderful opportunity and I am delighted that Sicily has been chosen for Powerboat P1’s first live broadcast on Eurosport. Our relationship with Powerboat P1 is going from strength to strength and this latest development will showcase Sicily in many of our key tourism markets.”

Eurosport will also screen eight 26-minute programmes covering the world championship, and six 26-minute programmes showcasing the newly branded SuperStock Championship. As part of a landmark two-year broadcasting deal with the world’s premier marine motorsport, Eurosport will further upgrade its coverage with two live events during the 2011 season in addition to an extended highlights package.

Eurosport Commercial Director Mike Vaughton said: “Eurosport is delighted to renew its partnership with Powerboat P1. Eurosport, Europe’s leading sports-entertainment group, brings the Powerboat P1 brand unrivalled visibility across its media platforms, including the first-ever powerboat race LIVE on pan-European TV as well as online videos and quality editorial on Eurosport.com.

“This year, Eurosport has enhanced the coverage of the event and will also host a specially developed microsite running a top-prize competition to win the “Ultimate Powerboat Experience.”

The partnership agreement also includes an enhanced online presence on Eurosport.com, while race results and tables will be featured on Eurosport’s 24-hour news channel, Eurosport News.

Caption: Spectacular Powerboat P1 action from Sicily to be screened LIVE on Eurosport

Prosser Marine Sales Ltd, the largest specialist marine dealer in Scotland, with branches in Glasgow and Kip Marina will be covering the whole of Scotland. A family run business, Prossers have many years experience in the leisure marine market. Dedicated to customer service they have an extensive under cover showroom in their central Glasgow location which is perfect for year round trading. The site at Kip Marina offers a full range of services in one of Scotland’s key marinas.

Commenting on their return as Sealine dealers Stan Prosser said “we are very happy to be back – we have a lot of Sealine customers on our books and look forward to welcoming new Sealine owners in Scotland.”

Quay Marine with offices in Swansea, Conwy and Pwllheli will be covering the Welsh region. Quay Marine has also opened a new office that will focus on the Sealine brand in Deganwy, providing continuity of service for the many Sealine owners already in this area.

Commenting on this appointment Ian Catterall, partner of Quay Marine said “We are delighted to be appointed as the Authorised Sealine Dealer for Wales based at the five star Deganwy Marina in North Wales.” Quay Marine will be run by Philip Jones who has worked extensively for a number of years in the marine industry. Philip comments, “I am both thrilled and excited to be representing Sealine and look forward to an exciting future with this market leading brand which already has an excellent following in Wales.”

Nicholas Turner Sales and Marketing Director for Sealine said “we are delighted to have appointed both Prosser Marine Services and Quay Marine. Both businesses are very well established in their areas and offer many years experience in the marine sector. We welcome back Prosser Marine who were previously a very successful dealer for Sealine and welcome on board Quay Marine who have an extensive knowledge of the Welsh market and many years experience in the sail and motor boat sectors. Both are dedicated to providing the very best service for their customers and we look forward to working closely with them to further develop Sealine’s presence in these important markets.”

Dealer contact details can be found on www.sealine.com

The F42 has a significantly larger flybridge due to the extended design first offered on the F46 (launched in September). There is space for six to dine in comfort around the large dining table, plus the ability to create a large sun bed aft by simply folding down the backrest on the rear seats. There is a central double helm, two further forward facing seats, a large cool box and spacious storage locker.

The single level deck has a three part sliding door joining the cockpit to the saloon, providing excellent connectivity. In the saloon, a comfortable L shaped seating area is on the starboard side with further seating on the port side. The seating area can easily be converted into an occasional double berth. The open plan galley is located forward. The feeling of space and light is created with the large wrap around windscreen which also provides some stunning panoramic views.

In the cockpit there is an L shaped seating area with a large lazerette underneath. The cockpit is large enough for entertaining and has an optional fridge and grill to add to the enjoyment of alfresco dining. As with the F46 there are wide side decks and high pulpit rails for added safety.

There are two cabins, offering five berths as standard with the luxurious master cabin located forward. A bonded skylight above the bed provides extra light and a wonderful feeling of space. This cabin offers full length hanging storage as well as plenty of general storage capacity. The forward cabin has separate ensuite shower and toilet compartments

To provide additional space and privacy the F42 offers a second cabin amidships, that can be configured either as a triple, twin or double. The second cabin also offers an ensuite shower and separate toilet with a skylight. As with the master cabin there is full hanging space and plenty of storage. Bonded cabin windows provide extra light as well as waterside views. There will be the option to have additional storage in the mid cabin in lieu of the third berth.

The spacious interior is characterised by the hand crafted furniture used throughout which has been finished in washed walnut with solid walnut accents. The colour palette for the soft furnishings is earthy with fruit overtones.

There will be even more storage on the new F42 than on the F42/5 with the new boat building on the strengths of its forerunner. All the benefits from the F42/5 have been incorporated and expanded upon with the new design – from storage to seating areas, to large entertaining spaces in the cockpit, saloon and on the flybridge.

The new hull is based on the proven design concept developed for the SC47 and F46.

Priced at around £ 313,000 for the standard model excluding VAT when fitted with twin Volvo Penta IPS500 (740 BHP total 2 engines). The boat will also be available with twin Volvo Penta IPS600 (870 BHP total 2 engines).

construction and sale of pleasure craft and luxury motor yachts, has finalized a new dealership agreement for

the commercialization of Aicon branded motoryachts and megayachts with Sailing Plus in the Middle East

area and, precisely, in Lebanon.

The agreement signed with one of the most important companies in the Middle East nautical field, is part of

the plan of geographical expansion of the distribution network in order to extend the business boundaries in

an international perspective.

Established in 2001, Sailing Plus is one of the pioneers in the Lebanese marine industry, becoming one of the

major players in the yachting sector in Lebanon and the Gulf, thanks to experience gained during the years

and constant efficiency in the productivity, driven by dedication and passion to the yachting world.

The company offers a various range of services, as new yachts sale, marine engineering, yachts charter, used

yacht sale and yachting management.

Sailing Plus is based in front of La Marina JK, just 15 minutes north of Beirut. It can count on a 500 square

meters office, on a 2000 square meters of land used as permanent boat show and on a warehouse. It also has

a widespread presence in the whole territory of Libanon thanks to bases in the best Marinas of the country.

“The Middle East area represents a very important market in the development plan of international growth of the Aicon commercial network from an international point of view” – states Lino Siclari, Chairman and CEO of the Aicon

Group – “ We are confident that the agreement signed with Sailing Plus will be the starting point for the creation of a strong cooperation, in order to take every opportunity coming from a market in great expansion as the one of the Lebanese area”.

***

The Aicon Group operates in the design, construction and sale of pleasure craft and luxury motor yachts. Active in this sector since 1999, in only a few years the Group has confirmed its position as a dynamic international operator and for the accounting period closed on August 31,2009, registered revenues equal to €33.8M. The Group’s two brands, Aicon and Morgan, operate in two different segments, Flybridge and Open the first, and Dinghy, Lobster Boat and Fast Commuter the second. The Aicon Group has two production sites on the Tyrrhenian Sea in the province of Messina, where the Aicon and Morgan brands are built. The Group is present in the Americas through its subsidiary Aicon Yachts Americas LLC.

There are two stages to the Superyacht Cup. The first is in Antigua which took place in January and then, in June, the action moves to Palma, Majorca. Eighteen superyachts took part in the 2009 regatta with over 500 participants sailing over three days. At the same time, more than 1,000crew, guests and industry representatives attended the evening functions.

For the 2010 event, the format is much the same – a mix of great races and great parties! Four days of events will start with a glittering cocktail party. This will be followed by three days of exhilarating racing, climaxing in a prize-giving evening with live music and dancing at Es Baluard Museum.

Every evening there will be themed parties held in the Regatta Village adjacent to the moored yachts. Like last year, owners and invited guests will also have the opportunity to view the fleet of superyachts and entertain their ‘neighbours’ along the quayside.

The longest-running superyacht regatta in Europe, the Superyacht Cup is a major event in the industry calendar –an opportunity to enjoy sailing and fantastic social functions in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Marco Villar, Yard Director of Atollvic, says: ‘Atollvic is delighted to be sponsoring the Superyacht Cup 2010. It’s one of the industry’s most exciting events and a wonderful opportunity to gather so many key people together for racing and fun. By sponsoring the event for the fourth year running, I want to demonstrate our continued commitment to the superyacht industry – and to all those involved in it.’

“Coming to the RYA is a great opportunity for me to combine my passion for business and my passion for being on the water and to make a lasting contribution to the RYA and all it represents. It is exciting and it will be demanding, but I am looking forward to the challenge”, commented Sarah.

Sarah brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise from the business world, from newspapers, international business and most recently luxury events, as well as a passion and lifelong involvement in boating from, learning to sail with her family at a very early age, to enjoying weekends on canal boats and cruising on board friend’s powerboats.

Sarah continued: “The breadth of the work done by the RYA is quite staggering and the membership is very diverse but I relish the challenge of working with all its areas of expertise.

“Rod leaves behind a huge legacy and some big shoes to fill, but with such a strong team to work alongside I am confident we can deliver even more for our members, clubs, training centres and recreational boaters in the future.”

London-based rights holder, Powerboat P1 Management Ltd, has been forced to make a late change to the schedule after local promoter, AM Info Media, failed to meet a deadline to deliver the required level of funding to stage the event. AM Info Media had been awarded a three-year agreement last year by Powerboat P1 to stage the Croatia Grand Prix of the Sea in Split.

Powerboat P1 Chief Operating Officer, Robert Wicks, said, “AM Info Media had good intentions but unfortunately has missed the deadline. A great deal of effort had gone into the planning for this event, but in the end we were left with no alternative but to remove Croatia from the calendar.

“We are very much looking forward to the opportunity to open the season in the Ukraine in May, given the country’s impressive powerboating heritage and passion for Powerboat P1,” Wicks added, “Starting a couple of weeks later buys the teams a little more time to prepare for the season and fortunately we have a number of alternative venues eager to secure the rights to stage a replacement round. We will be making an announcement shortly about a further event to be added to the calendar.”

The president of Ukraine’s Powerboat Federation, Viktor Shemchuk, reported, “We are very happy to open the 2010 season for Powerboat P1 — it will be an honor and a privilege to do so.”

With more than 20 teams confirmed, the 2010 P1 World Championship promises to be one of the most exciting in Powerboat P1’s eight-year history.

The Powerboat P1 World Championship is a contracted promoter of the Union Internationial Motonautica (UIM), producing world class powerboat racing events world-wide. The Championship features mono-hull powerboats, including the prototype Evolution Class and factory production SuperSport Class; Powerboat P1 also recently established the SuperStock Class, formerly known as the Honda 4-Stroke Series.

Powerboat P1 World Championship: Powerboat P1 is the world’s premium marine motorsport, with teams from around the globe racing at speeds exceeding 200 kph in powerful twin-engine monohull powerboats.

In 2010, teams in both the Evolution and SuperSport classes will compete for the World Championship title at Grand Prix of the Sea events across Europe, in the series’ eighth season. Powerboat P1’s exclusive tourism destinations and VIP entertainment village provide a glamorous and adrenaline-fuelled experience, attracting thousands of spectators, celebrities, and a world-wide media and an base. International television coverage provides world-wide exposure for this highly competitive and exciting sport.

2010 Powerboat P1 Provisional Calendar

April 16-18: Split, Croatia

May 7-9: Yalta, Ukraine

June 11-13: Istanbul, Turkey

July 9-11: Cascais, Portugal

August 6-8: Gothenburg, Sweden

September 17-19: Sicily, Italy