JUST over a month ago, Hampshire powerboat champion Shelley Jory-Leigh’s season was in tatters before it had even begun.

Days before the start of the first P1 grand prix, the F1 of the water, promoters pulled their support for the championship ending Shelley’s dreams of a shot at the world title.

It looked like she would have to give racing a break for the first time in 14 years.

But against all odds the Southampton racer, pictured left, who last season became the first woman ever to win a P1 grand prix, is back on the water and back on the podium.

Despite no main sponsor, the first grand prix of the season in Yalta, Ukraine, went ahead – and Shelley and new throttleman Patrick Huybreghts scored an impressive second place.

Discouraging Shelley, who runs a bridal shop in Southampton, said: “To say I was unenthusiastic for my first race in a new boat, new team and new season was an understatement.

“The last few months have been so discouraging and hard work that the easiest option would have been to pull out and take the year off I have been promising myself for the past 14 years.

“But I pushed myself as always like many of my other racing colleagues, race officials and organisers and we pulled off one of the best powerboating events the sport has ever seen with no main promotor on board.

“I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and seeing what our determination can achieve.”

The next grand prix takes place in Malta from June 10 to 14.