On 17 August, the final of the third round of the F2 Water Formula World Championship took place at the Klaipėda Cruise Ship Terminal in the harbour shipping channel. Twenty professional watercraft pilots from all over the world, including two Lithuanian representatives - Edgaras Riabko and Egidijus Dagilis - stood at the starting line. The world-class championship was organised for the fifth year by the ELITAZ creative house together with F2 United.
In the qualifying race on Friday, Edgaras Riabko won the fifth starting position for today's decisive race, while Egidijus Dagilis started 20th. The starting position for the final is very important for the pilots, as the number one position allows the first to reach the yellow buoy, beyond which the overtakes begin, and the one in front of the pilot allows him or her to sail in flat water, while the one behind him or her will find it very difficult to overtake the leader. In first position in today's final was yesterday's leader, Britain's Matthew Palfreyman.
Edgaras Riabko, one of the championship leaders, shared after yesterday's qualifying race that he had renewed his engine and bought new propellers before the championship. Edgar said that he has been practicing for many years and believes that now is the time to win. Edgar won the third prize in today's competition. He is currently leading the overall standings after three rounds. With three rounds still to go in this World Championship, Lithuania has a good chance of finishing on the podium.
After a fierce 45 minutes of competition, Mathilda Wiber of Sweden finished the championship at number one, with Nelson Morin of France in second place.
After the competition, the winner was delighted with the result and congratulated the other competitors, saying that everyone had won by taking part in the Championships. Mathilda of Sweden was one of only two women who took part in the Championships.
This World Championship has three more rounds in Italy and Portugal. The next round of the F2 Water Formula World Championship will take place in San Nazzaro, Italy from 30 August to 1 September.
