Victory for Fazza 3 in the opening round of the UIM/WPPA Class 1 World
Powerboat Championship was sealed this afternoon by Arif Al Zafeen and
Nadir Bin Hendi. Second place went to home favourites Sheikh Hassan Bin
Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis, with Class 1 debutant Mohammad Al
Mehairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez claiming third place in a sun-kissed Qatar
Marine Festival Grand Prix. The reunited pairing of Al Zafeen and Bin
Hendi powered through to a comfortable victory in the end, but they did
not have it all their own way. A fantastic start by Qatar 95 saw the
Edox Pole Position winner's storm away with the early lead, but engine
troubles forced them to retire on lap nine while leading the race. This
cleared the way for Fazza 3 to take the first win of the season. With
the experience of two world champions in the raceboat, they never looked
in doubt of getting the season of to the perfect start. Sheikh Hassan
and Steve Curtis, in Qatar 96, grabbed second place in the team’s home
grand prix. Having been happy to just finish on the podium in the run up
to the race, the second place will be welcomed by the team although
there were mixed reactions as it came at the expense of their
team-mates, Qatar 95. The final podium place went to newcomer Al Mehairi
and Sanchez. The new pairing were overjoyed with their first race
together and the instant success they have achieved. Al Mehairi, had set
his sights on a podium finish prior to the race. The early leaders
Abdullah Al-Sulaiti and Matteo Nicolini had got off to a perfect start
and pulled away from the chasing pack only to see all their hard work
from the weekend come to a miserable end as an engine failure brought
their challenge of claiming a win to a sudden halt. Aurantium, with
Giovanni Carpitella and Christian Rivolta racing for the first time
together in Class 1, turned their qualifying promise into an excellent
performance in the race. They were delighted with their fourth place
which sets them up nicely for their home grand prix in Alicante, where
the rougher conditions will suit them better. Giorgioffshore also had a
good start to the season finishing in fifth. The new pairing of Nicola
Giorgi and Riccardo Calugi showed good speed and reliability as they
look to build their partnership. Foresti & Suardi - Roscioli Hotels'
Giampaolo Montavoci and Francesco Pansini came through in sixth place,
despite gearing problems hampering their efforts at the start and end of
the race. There was frustration for European Champion Jorn Tandberg and
Christian Zaborowski in Welmax 90, the quietly confident Norwegians
snapped a prop shaft on lap three and a bitterly disappointing weekend
for Maritimo Australia concluded when engine trouble saw Maritimo 11
retire on lap five. QATAR MARINE FESTIVAL GRAND PRIX - Results
1. Fazza 3 - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / N Bin Hendi (UAE) – 59.52.48
2. Qatar 96 - H Al-Thani (QAT) / S Curtis (GBR) + 01.10.27
3. Victory 1 - M Al Mehairi (UAE) / JM Sanchez (FRA) + 01.36.13
4. Aurantium 10 – C Rivolta (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) + 1 Lap
5. Giorgioffshore 18 – R Calugi (ITA) / N Giorgi (ITA) + 1 Lap
6. Foresti & Suardi - Roscioli Hotels 8 - F Pansini (ITA) / G Montavoci (ITA) + 3 Laps
7. Qatar 95 - A Al-Sulaiti (QAT) / M Nicolini (ITA) – 02.40.68 – DNF
8. Maritimo 11 - T Barry-Cotter (AUS) / PV Nilsen (NOR) – DNF
9. Welmax 90 - C Zaborowski (NOR) / J Tandberg (NOR) – DNF
10. Maritimo 12 - G Manuzzi (SMR) / P McGrath (NZL) – DNS
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