Friday, 9 June, VIESTE (Italy): Sweden’s Emma-Nellie Ortendahl will start Moto 1 of the UIM-ABP Aquabike Grand Prix of the Mediterranean from pole position after posting a fastest lap of 2:07.16s in this afternoon’s official qualifying.

 

Jonna Borgstrom is clearly enjoying her new Kawasaki and produced her best-ever qualifying run and best time of the session on her final flying lap to go second quickest with a 2:12.64s lap, with Estelle Poret in third on the Bullett.

 

Ortendahl’s comfortable 5.48s winning margin on the ProForce gives her the crucial inside run to the first turn mark, with a rider between her and Estelle Poret who beat her last time out to take the Grand Prix victory in Porto Cesareo. “I was very pleased with the session and the time,” said the defending world champion. “There were some big waves on the back straight which was a little scary but I managed to avoid any problems and I am getting more and more confident in these conditions.

 

“The modifications to the bike, the front bumper and spray deflector, made a big, big difference and helped a lot. Otherwise I would be more under than over the water.”

 

Kylie Ellmers produced another solid performance on her new next generation SDC Trak ‘whale’ and will start Moto1 from fourth, with Estonia’s Katrin Nilbe and Sofie Borgstrom again qualifying in fifth and sixth spots.

 

For full classifications: www.aquabike.net/results

 

[For further information and to watch all the action from Motos 1&2 on Saturday and Sunday streamed live; visit aquabike.net]