France's Philippe Chiappe won the F1H2O Grand Prix of Portugal at Portimao on Sunday (31st July.)

Portimao's seafront was packed on Saturday as spectators gathered to watch the F1H20 Grand Prix of Portugal.

France's Philippe Chiappe, who was left disappointed following his home race two weeks ago, produced the perfect response as he recorded a superb victory.

Second place went to pole-sitter Sami Selio, his first podium of the year, signalling a long awaited return to form for Finland's double world champion.

Shaun Torrente of the USA came in third, claiming his fourth consecutive podium with Victory Team.

The result for CTIC F1 China's Chiappe was a mirror image of a year ago - a breakdown in France followed by a victory in Portugal.

His winning margin of 6.80 seconds moved him to within two points of championship leader Alex Carella on 42 points, with Torrente very much in touch in third spot on 36.

From the Algarve and Portimao the F1H2O World Championship now heads to China and to its most northeastern city, Harbin, between the 2nd and the 4th of September.