The opening round of the 1998 U.I.M. Class 1 World Powerboat Championship scheduled to take place in Taranto, southern Italy, June 7th has been postponed due to emergency construction work taking place in the harbour.
Local Organiser, Nicola Baldassare, has received a communication from the Port Authority advising that due to ‘essential and unavoidable’ construction work needed within the Port, certain areas of the Quay essential to the staging of the event would not be available for use.
Despite every effort by the Norwegian Promoter Offshore Sport Promotion to avert the situation it has confirmed that the race will not take place.
"This is an unacceptable situation but nevertheless one that we face. I know that this is frustrating for all involved," said Jann Hillestad, managing director, Offshore Sport Promotion, " We have done everything possible at this late stage to try to avoid cancelling the event but without success."
Discussions between OSP and Baldassare will continue with a view to rescheduling the event at a later date.
The opening round of the championship will be in Bari on June 14th.