Maritimo will look to cap an impressive first half of the season with a top three finish in the final round of the European Championship in Stresa.

Tom Barry-Cotter and Pal Nilsen are enjoying their best season since teaming up as the sport’s youngest pairing in Athens in 2007, and consecutive podiums - second in Norway and third in Race 2 in Romania last month - has put them into third spot in both the World and European standings. 

“We have had some luck along the way, sometimes it has gone our way and other times it has gone against us.,” said Barry-Cotter, the 2008/9 Australian Offshore Superboat Champion. 

“The important thing for us is that in Europe we have been getting good results, and here in Italy our aim is to finish the races and try to hold onto the podium spot in the European Championship.”

“We still have some handling issues with our boat and we don’t want to end up like number 12 - on its roof - so the aim is to be conservative and race for a good finish.  We have carried out some major modifications to the hull and tunnel on our third boat back home in Australia and will be testing it this week.  If it works, we will look to carry out the same changes on number 11 before we head to the Middle East.

“Our main rival here will be Welmax.  We know they are faster than us, but if we can outgun them at the start as they are a heavier boat, we can then drive defensively. It will then be up to me and Pal not to make any mistakes.