FIMC hosts first round of XCAT World Series

The first heat of the UIM World Powerboating Series XCAT2016 Grand Prix was successfully held in Fujairah this April for the fourth year in row. The event was hosted by Fujairah International Marine Club, and held under the patronage H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.

 

This event was organized in cooperation with WPPA (World Professional Powerboating Association) under the authority of UAE Marine Sports Federation (UAE MSF), and the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM).

 

XCAT is an abbreviation of Extreme Catamaran and is considered to be one of the most challenging forms of powerboat racing in the world. This was the first time in the history of the sport to use the new four-stroke and environmentally friendly Mercury XCAT ROS 400 engines. 14 international teams competed this year.

 

On April 5th at the Drivers briefing, Major Ahmed Ebraheim, Managing Director at FIMC gave a warm welcome to spectators and participants. He wished all the best to participants, and stressed the importance of respect for safety. The UIM officials then went on to explain the racecourse, as well as the new rules and regulations especially for the XCAT powerboats.

 

Day 1

All teams were up early preparing for their first official practice on Tuesday 5th, and familiarizing themselves with the new Mercury engine and handling of the powerboat. The Australian team took first place for practice.

 

Day 2

10:00am was pole position; back to back the Duty Free Speed Cat Run. Before the start of the race all teams had a group picture on the podium, with everybody looking great and ready to race. Pole position started and due to added weight during the season 1 Boat 96 the Spirit of Abu Dhabi started in the last position of XCAT Grand Prix.

 

 

Pole Position results 

1st Place – Abu Dhabi

2nd Place - Victory Team 

Speed Cat Run results

1st Place – Victory Team

2nd Place – Team Six 

 

Day 3 

The day everyone has been waiting for is here: UIM XCAT Grand Prix 2016 First Round, the opening of the season and all teams are ready for the battle, preparing earlier for the second official practice at 10:30 am. A few changes have been made to the race timetable- the organizing committee has decided to start the Grand Prix at 4:00pm giving more opportunity for the audience to watch. 

 

The audience filled up as people arrived to the Marina and all the way along the Fujairah Corniche people were waiting witness the race. XCAT racing is one of the most extreme and exhilarating of marine motorsports, and never fails to draw a crowd. 

 

Pasquale, the Race Marshal officer raised the green flag from the pace catamaran at 4:00 pm declaring the opening of the season with the starting of the first heat of XCAT Grand Prix 2016. 

 

The race got off to a successful start with no accidents, however the Abu Dhabi Team Boat #5 did face mechanical problem but after a short while they got back in the race again.  Following that, the Australia Team also faced mechanical issues and their boat flipped in the water due to a small teaching between them and the Abu Dhabi Team Boat #4. 

 

Boat #20 Fujairah Team, driven by Alessandro Barone and Serafino Barlesi had started strong and were in second place behind the leaders Boat #3 Victory Team until the 7th lap, but also ended up facing some technical problems on their propellers. 

 

At the end Victory Team Boat #3, driven by Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir bin Hendi, added another world title by winning the First Round of the UIM XCAT World Series on Friday 8th April 2016. The race was attended by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, Sheikh Saif bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Chairman of Fujairah International Marine Club, Sheikh Dr. Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority as well as Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, H.E. Dr. Saeed Hareb, Chairman of UAE Marine Sports Federation, Chairman of Dubai International Marine Club, H.E. Eisa Khafan bin Kharbash, Board Member of WPPA and Mr. Ahmed Ebraheim, Managing Director of FIMC who together awarded the trophies and medals to all the winners and congratulated them on another successful event at Fujairah International Marine Club.

 

Competing in the second round of the Series in Dubai and the Victory Team claim top honours in  the race for Emaar Pole Position, the Dubai Grand Prix and Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run.