Friday, 2 June, PORTO CESAREO (Italy): Defending world champion Emma-Nellie Ortendahl got off to the perfect start to the defence of her title that she wanted, going quickest in qualifying and will start Moto 1 of the UIM-ABP Aquabike Grand Prix of Italy in pole position.

The 18-year-old from Alvangen topped the time sheets in both sessions, securing the all-important P1 with a best lap of 2:00.18s.

It was an impressive start for the Swedish rider despite carrying an injury to her left knee that she picked up in Zadar two weeks ago at the opening round of the European Continental Championship after crashing in Ski GP1 when competing against her male peers.

France’s Estelle Poret was unable to repeat the form that put her on top of the time sheets in this morning’s practice session and had to settle for second quickest with a 2:02.30s lap to round out a good day on her new Bullett ski’s first outing on the UIM-ABP tour.

New Zealander Kylie Ellmers was another to unveil a new ski, and despite little time on the water produced a very strong showing going third quickest with a 2:06.75s lap.

Jonna Borgstrom, who grabbed the headlines after winning in Zadar, was fourth quickest ahead of the best of the newcomers, Katriin Nilbe with 17-year-old Sofie Borgstrom sixth quickest.

For full classifications: www.aquabike.net/results