F1H2O Nations Cup

Thursday, 22 September, SHANGHAI (China): Roman Vandyshev led from start-to-finish to take victory in race 1 of the UIM H2O BUND Holding Group Nations Cup Grand Prix of Shanghai, and with teammate Andrei Panyushkin’s fifth place Team Russia will head into race 2 leading Nations Cup.

Australia’s Corey Davoll produced another strong performance to move from third place off the dock to take a well-earned second place, holding off the attentions of American Jay Price.

But there was disappointment for the second Australian driver Brock Cohen whose crash on lap three brought out the first of two yellow flags, ending his Nations Cup debut with the team’s chances of improving on third spot somewhat dented. “I was just pushing too hard. The adrenalin was pumping, I was up to fifth and was covering the boat behind me and just got airborne on the turn. The boat then dug in and that was it,” said the bitterly disappointed youngster. “I am really disappointed, not for me but the team. Everyone has worked so hard. We have had such great support from everyone back home. I’ve let them down but it was great to see Corey take second.”

The restart saw Scott Gillman make an immediate move on Panyushkin, with Germany’s Jorn Lassig running in sixth but losing out to Team UAE’s Rashed Al Qamzi when the second yellow was raised after Italian Roberto Lo Piano destroyed a buoy, the boats running the remainder of the race under yellow to the chequered flag.