ABU DHABI // Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir bin Hendi on Friday underlined their status as the undisputed champions in the UIM XCAT World Series.
Al Zafeen has been a winner in all five years since the race series was launched and it was four in a row with Bin Hendi, who missed out the first year as he was serving a one-year ban from racing.
Starting from third in the grid, the Emirati pair aboard the XDubai boat raced to the front and led all the way to register a resounding victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final leg of the six-race series.
“We couldn’t have wished for a better finish,” said Bin Hendi after the race on the flat inshore waters of the breakwaters.
The XDubai headed to the final race holding a five-point lead over the Team Abu Dhabi No 5 boat of Rashed Al Tayer and Faleh Al Mansoori.
“We had problems with the left engine in the first two practices before the race in Abu Dhabi,” Bin Hendi said. “We were just hoping the boat will last the distance, and it was like our prayers were answered. It did survive the distance. All credit to our staff and the crew for a job well done.”
XDubai was followed all the way home by Giovanni Carpitella and Darren Nicholson aboard T-Bone Station, with Al Tayer and Al Mansoori of Team Abu Dhabi No 5 third.
“When we found ourselves in front we decided to push on with the advantage,” Al Zafeen said. “It was the first time we raced on a circuit with four long laps, and in such races anything could have happened.
“Of course, we checked with the crew on how the No 5 boat was placed after every lap, so we knew exactly where we were from start of the race. Our only hope was that the engine didn’t pack up.”
Al Tayer and Al Mansoori had been attempting to deliver a second world powerboat title to Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club to add to the UIM Class 1 triumph earned by John Tomlinson and Gary Ballough earlier in the month.
“I tried to push but it was very rough out there so I played safe because it was important to finish the race and take second place in the championship in our first season in XCATs,” Al Tayer said.
Al Mansoori added: “It was dangerous with big waves, a lot of air and side-by-side racing, but we enjoyed it and well done to XDubai for winning the title again.
“It was our first season in XCATs so second in the championship is a very good result for us.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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