VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said the State government is planning to make F1H2O Power Boat Racing Championship an annual event. Addressing a gathering on the conclusion of the F1H2O Power Boat Racing World Championship in Vijayawada on Sunday, the Chief Minister said the next year’s edition will also be held on Krishna river. “You can mark it in your calendars now. The race will take place from November 16 to 18 next year,” Naidu said.
The Chief Minister, applauding the efforts of the drivers and their teams, said that the objective to organise F1H2O event here was to bring Amaravati on to the global map. He said that the State government was making efforts to make Andhra Pradesh, the best tourism spot in the country.
“Considering the thousands, who thronged Punnami Ghat and those watching the contest on TV across the world, we are expecting 70 to 80 million people to watch the reruns,” he added. Naidu also spoke about the concerted efforts by various ministries to bring world class sporting events of a similar nature to inculcate the sporting spirit and habit in youth of the State.
Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated the F1H2O Racing Park. Many families were seen thronging the park soon after its inauguration.
Shaun Torrente of Team Abu Dhabi came first, while Maret Stromoy of Team Emirates and Erik Stark of Team Abu Dhabi stood second and third, respectively.
Earlier, the Chief Minister took a trial round before beginning the race and flagged it off.
Erik Edin of Team Amaravati trailed on the sixth position as Jonas Andersson, the team’s lead racer, was declared out in the last few laps of the race as his power boat developed a technical glitch. As many as one lakh people were said to have watched the event.
Taking to Twitter, IT and Panchayat Raj Minister Nara Lokesh said, “Great finish by Shaun Torrente of Abu Dhabi to bag the top honours. Jonas Andersson of #TeamAmaravati gave a terrific fight, but it wasn’t his day today. Better luck to him next time. All in all #F1H2O_Amaravati has got people notice #Amaravati and its amazing potential.”
Naidu and Tourism Minister Akhila Priya felicitated Nicolo Di San Germano, promoter, H2O Racing, Paulo Di San Germano, president, F1H2O, Raffaele Chiulli, UIM president, Lavinia Cavallero, vice president H2O racing, Mukesh Kumar Meena, secretary Tourism, Himanshu Shukla, CEO, AP Tourism, Y Harish Chandra Prasad, founder and chief mentor, Malaxmi Group and Sandeep Mandava, CEO, India Xtreme Adventure Activities Pvt Ltd.