Giorgi offshore throttleman, Nicola Giorgi, is confident that the team can challenge for a podium place when Class 1 heads to the U.A.E. for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 19-21 November.

The team is currently carrying out repairs to the damage sustained to their boat following the collision with Victory 77 on the opening lap of Race 2 in the Italian Grand Prix, which was to put Giorgi and Norwegian driver Kurt Olsen out of the race on lap 4.  “It was a racing incident and one that can easily happen when the boats are so close in performance and all arriving at tight turn buoys together.” said Giorgi.  “Maybe we should go back to have real offshore races rather than inshore races with offshore boats?”

“We are fixing the boat in Viareggio now and whatever we still have do when the boats are shipped next week will be finished in Dubai.  She is not so badly damaged but needs at least 10 days of work.”

Giorgi, who also suffered a neck injury in the high-impact shunt when his head slammed against the side of the cockpit, is eager to get back in the boat and to make up for the disappointment in Race 2 in Stresa.  “I feel better just now after a full week of pain with my neck!  But we will be definitely ready for Abu Dhabi and fighting for the podium that we just missed and deserved in Italy.”

The team has stepped up their levels of performance this season and shown real pace at times.  Three top five finishes and fourth in Race 1 in Stresa puts them in sixth place in the Championship standings.