Awards for top duo

11:20am Thursday 22nd February 2007

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WORLD champions Jackie Hunt and Mike Shelton scooped more honours at the Powerboat P1 annual awards ceremony, held in Rome.

The Hook-based racers had an excellent 2006 on the water to take the world crown in their debut season.

The husband-and-wife team were still making waves in Rome, where Hunt was voted rookie of the year, and then Shelton picked up the navigator of the year award to add to their top placing in the SuperSport class.

Hunt, who was delighted to pick up another award, said: "It was a nice surprise and, considering it was voted on by your peers - the people you have raced against all season - it makes it that little bit special."

She added: "Mike was chuffed to pick up the navigator award and, I think, in a couple of races last year, he certainly got us to the front due to his skill on plotting the best course for us."

Now the reigning world champions are gearing up to defend their crown next season.

The action gets under way in Malta on the first weekend of May and finishes on the final weekend of September in Portugal.

Local fans will get a chance to see them in action in round four of the six-race series, which takes place off the Isle of Wight on August 25 and 26.

Hunt said: "The boat has been stripped down and made ready for the new season. At the moment we are in talks with a number of sponsors so, fingers crossed, everything will come together. I can't wait for the new season to start."