Vijayawada to host Int’l boat racing tourney

Vijayawada: After successful conduct of aerobic Air show with international pilots in January 2017 at Punnami Ghat in Krishna river, the Department of Tourism is once again bracing up to host another mega event of boat racing with world-class expert boat drivers in Krishna river.

The international show will attract not only Indian viewers but also from abroad particularly the Gulf and European countries. The state government as part of its efforts to promote tourism is conducting F1H2O extreme adventurous activities in Krishna river. The government on Saturday entered an MoU with the F1H2O promoter Management and India Xtreme Adventure Activities, to host sixth-round of F1H2O boat racing in Krishna river from November 9 to 11.The agreement was signed on Saturday at Berm park, Punnamighat following months of negotiations in October last year.

The MoU facilitates the returning of world flagship international powerboat series to the subcontinent for the first time since 2004. The 2018 UIM F1H2O world championship will be fought out over eight races in different parts of the world, Europe and Asia. In all, nine teams and 19 drivers from 12 countries contesting this year’s championship, are now on their traditional ‘summer break’ following three outstanding European events in Portugal, England and France that has seen the 2018 title race swing one way then another. Of the eight races, five will be held in Asia--India, UAE and China.

Himanshu Shukla, Director of the State Department of Tourism signed the MoU with Union International Motonautique (UIM) and the F1H2O Management Committee to host mega event in November. Expert drivers will be seen in action driving the boat at breath-taking speed of 250 km per hour between Prakasam Barrage and Pavitra Sangamam. A delegation from organisers inspected the water-levels at Prakasam Barrage in the last few days and delighted with the water flows.

Himanshu Shukla said the expert racers have completed part of their competition in Portugal, England, France, Abu Dhabi and now coming to Amaravati in November. He said about 4,000 foreigners and 50 international journalists will come to Vijayawada to watch and cover the three-day adventurous show. The F1H2O racing president Paolo Di San Germano said, “We are delighted that the world championship is returning to India for the first time after 14 years.” “I take this opportunity to thank the government of AP, local partner Malakshmi group (India Extreme) and all the personnel involved for signing the MoU," he added.

The 2018 F1H2O world championship will be fought out over eight races, with the remaining five rounds taking place in China, UAE and India. Nine teams with 19 expert drivers from 12 countries will be seen in action to win the race. For the first time, the denizens of Vijayawada can watch international boat racing in Krishna river. Air show hosted in January 2017 evoked huge response and is also a memorable event for the viewers.