Eight-time World champion Guido Cappellini of Italy clocked 36.74 seconds (per lap), the fastest time in UIM Powerboat World Championship Grand Prix (first leg) at the Marine Drive in Mumbai on Saturday.

Looking for his ninth title, Cappellini was followed by American Scott Gillman, who timed 37.29 deconds, and Sami Selio of Finland (38.06 seconds) in that order.

All the abovementioned timings were clocked in the first time trial as the organisers were forced to cut short the trial because of unsafe winds and waves.

Francesco Cantando of Italy, who is expected to run Cappellini close in the championship race on Sunday, finished a poor fourth with a timing of 38.56 seconds while Philippe Dessertenne of France (38.61 seconds) and Duarte Benavente of Portugal (39.27 seconds) finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Heavy winds also forced the organisers to cancel the time trial for the top six drivers.

The drivers who practiced before the time trials included Andy Elliott of Great Britain, Laith Pharaon of Saudi Arabia, Rinaldo Marcandalli of Italy, Pertti Leppala of Finland, Massimo Roggiero, Fabrizio Bocca, Fabio Comparato, Massimilano Moreschi and Marco Gambi (all from Italy).

Cedric Deguisne of France, Pierre Lundin of Sweden, Tany Al Qamzy of UAE, Marcello Menegatto of Morocco, Julius Leysene of Belgium and the Trask brothers -- Bob and David -- were the others to be seen in action during time trials.