New Model: Aquastar 42

The Aquastar 42 is the result of a long study in this market sector. An all round, family aft cabin motor cruiser, with great picture side windows to the Master cabin. The class leading VIP forward cabin presents a cunning swing apart double bed to create twin single berths. The secure aft deck offers unrivalled privacy for marina dining with enclosed seating for family and friends to relax with a wet bar and BBQ option. Well equipped with quick deploy canopies over helm and aft seating and an endless degree of choice, from single or twin helm the option if for an interior jockey station, and a second layout which replaces the VIP fore cabin with twin scissor berths. Other options include hydraulic stabilizer fins something very rare in this size, which will decrease rolling to a bare minimum at slow speeds, and on anchor.

Technical Data:

LOA - 12.8 m (42ft)

Beam - 4.26 m

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 681 l 

Accommodation - 4 + 2 berths

Engines - 2 x 370hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Hull Type - semi displacement shape

Project - Design Unlimited interior

www.aquastar.gg

News: Nord West December 2012

OPENING TIMES

During the Christmas break Nord West showroom will be open on 27-28 december, and 2-4th January 2013. As usual Nord West welcomes you to come and discuss a new boat or look at the many second hand brokerage boats, cruisers, and yachts available.
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MOTOR BOAT OF THE YEAR
Nord West 430 Sports Top has been nominated to the Motor Boat of the Year 2013 in the category powerboat up to 45 feet. If you missed the test of the Nord West 430 Sports Top in the December issue of the magazine Motor Boats and Yachting we suggest you to check it out.  

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BOAT SHOWS IN WINTER 2013

Nord West and its sister sailing brand Najad will be present at the following upcoming boat shows.  The World class Dusseldorf boat show in Germany from the 19 to the 27 January with a Nord West 430 Sports Top, and a 370 Coupe.  Gothenburg on the 2 till the 10 February with a Nord West 430. Frederica in Denmark during the weekend of 22 till the 24 February with a Nord West 430 Sports Top. Alvsjo in Stockholm on the 2 to the 10 March also with a Nord West 430.  Indoor show in Oslo, Telenor starting the 13 till 17th March with a Nord West 430.  Book your dates.  

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www.nordwest.se

New Model: Azimut 54

Azimut yachts new 54 is a further tune up of the 53 model launched in 2009, with the main differences coming from a redesign of the profile windows, and an improved interior with a more luxurious decor.  Another important difference will be the galley which now features a complete redesign allowing for better layout.  For the rest the new 54 keeps the clever layout of the 53, which features the much appreciated three double cabins layout, and a full beam midships owners stateroom.  Power is twin MAN 730hp engines with a max speed of 33 knots. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 16.7 (54.9ft)

Hull Length - 16.6 m

Beam - 4.74 m

Draft - 1.35 m

Displacement - 27 t loaded

Fuel Capacity - 2340 l

Water Capacity - 590 l

Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 1 crew cabin berth

Engines - 2 x MAN R6 730hp

Propulsion - V drive with line shaft

Speed - 33 knots max, 28 knots cruise

Project - Stefano Righini exterior, Azimut yachts

Construction - fiberglass,vacuum infused resin

Certification - CE UNI ISO 8666

www.azimutyachts.com

Class 1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

RACE 1

Dubai’s Victory Team is celebrating a remarkable twelfth World Championship success after a convincing win in race 1 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by Arif Al Zafeen and Mohammed Al Marri.
The Victory duo seemed unfazed after finding themselves in third place after the start and played a waiting game, coming from behind to take their sixth win of the season to seal a fifth World title for Al Zafeen and a third for Al Marri.
Today’s win also secures a sixth Middle East Championship for Victory after dropping just eight points in five starts, with Al Zafeen winning both titles for the last four years.
Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella raced to their third podium of the year bringing LFFendi10 home in second place, with Darren Nicholson and Peter McGrath, running under the Victory Australia banner, producing yet another outstanding performance to make it three podiums from five outings in their short end of season stint in Class 1, finishing third.
From the green flag Al Zafeen and Al Marri watched as the Italian duo in LFFendi10 came from sixth place on the line and raced into a comfortable lead on the rough 2Nm start run outside Lulu Island to lead by five seconds at the end of lap1.
Nicholson and McGrath were up into second ahead of their adopted teammates Victory, with Guido Cappellini and Giampaolo Montavoci in Spirit of Gabon-Poliform in fourth and Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori in fifth.
LFFendi10 extended their lead after opting to run their two mandatory short laps immediately, to open up a 17 second gap but now over Spirit of Gabon-Poliform and Zabo-Isiklar who also went for the short laps early.
But by the end of lap 5 with all boats having run their short laps, Victory hit the front to lead by 9 seconds with LFFendi10 second and Victory Australia third.
The leading trio remained line astern for the remaining 5 laps with Al Zafeen and Al Marri running out the comfortable winners by 34 seconds. “It was always our plan to take it easy at the start and not to take any risks,” said Arif Al Zafeen after his 29th career win.

A third podium in six outings since they switched into their Victory hull has now moved Fendi and Carpitella up into third place in the overall Championship standings, with Luca Formilli Fendi understandably pleased with the result.
Nicholson and McGrath’s short time on the tour just gets better and better, the Australian-New Zealand pairing now boasting two race podiums and one from yesterday’s qualifying.
Team Abu Dhabi’s hopes of a podium finish on home waters disappeared after dropping a place at the start, but Al Tayer and Al Mansoori regained the place on lap five to finish in fourth and secure the runners-up slot in the World and Middle East Championship standings.
Spirit of Gabon-Poliform and Zabo-Isiklar battled it out in the latter stages and enjoyed a six lap tussle for fifth and six spots, Cappellini and Montavoci winning the duel to finish in front by just four seconds, with both FARO ACCIAI and Subseapilot going the distance and picking up valuable points.
ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX, RACE 1 – Results
1. 3 Victory - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) 00.29.49,34
2. 10 Fendi Racing - L Formilli Fendi (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) + 00.34,39
3. 7 Victory Team of Australia - D Nicholson (AUS) / P Mc Grath (NZL) + 00.38,39
4. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - R Al Tayer (UAE) / M Al Mansoori (UAE) + 00.52,72
5. 74 Poliform - G Cappellini (MON) / G Montavoci (ITA) + 01.25,00
6. 91 Zabo Isiklar - U Isik (TUR) / C Zaborowski (NOR) + 01.29,00
7. 23 FA.RO. ACCIAI - G M Gabbiani (ITA) / L Nicolini (ITA) + 1 LAP
8. 8 Subseapilot - Y Bratland (NOR) / B Jacobsen (NOR) + 1 LAP
RACE 2
Arif Al Zafeen and Mohammed Al Marri completed their Abu Dhabi Grand Prix treble after cruising to a comfortable Victory in race 2.
Today’s win, their seventh of the season, ends a near perfect season for the Champions, claiming top spot in the World, Middle East and Edox Pole Position Championships.
Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella maintained their impressive run of form to finish on the podium for the second time in two days bringing LFFendi10 home in second place, with Zabo-Isiklar’s Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski ending their season on a high with a well-deserved first podium of the year and clinching fourth place in the Championship.
The newly crowned Champions were in a league of their own and took the initiative from the start and led the race from flag to finish and at no time came under any pressure.
By mid-race Al Zafeen and Al Marri had eased out to a 30 second lead and were in cruise control and able to back off in the closing stages to win the 14 lap, 70.17Nm race by 12 seconds.
Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella completed their hat-trick of race podiums to round off a very strong second half the year, but had to hold off a strong challenge from Zabo-Isiklar in the closing stages.
Zabo Racing’s habit of ending their seasons on the podium continued, with Isik and Zaborowski’s strategy of taking their second short lap late paying dividends, moving them up from sixth place at the end of lap six into third spot a lap later.
For the remainder of the race they piled the pressure on and chased down LFFendi10 closing the gap too under five seconds.
For the first Grand Prix this season Team Abu Dhabi missed out on a podium finish, with Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori again finishing in fourth.
Gian Maria Gabbiani and Luca Nicolini did not have the pace to run with the others but did have the reliability, ending a positive weekend for the team picking up their best result of the year finishing in fifth spot.
There was disappointment for Victory Team Australia’s Darren Nicholson and Peter McGrath who were running in second place when their race came to an abrupt end after a broken torque sensor forced them to stop on lap seven.
Subseapilot lasted just two laps with Yngve Bratland and Bjorge Jacobsen returning to the pits with an engine problem, Poliform-Spirit of Gabon’s Guido Cappellini and Giampaolo Montavoci following them in on lap 10, also with an engine issue.
ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX, RACE 2 – Results
1. 3 Victory - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) 00.42.31,12
2. 10 Fendi Racing - L Formilli Fendi (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) + 00.11,71
3. 91 Zabo Isiklar - U Isik (TUR) / C Zaborowski (NOR) + 00.16,97
4. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - R Al Tayer (UAE) / M Al Mansoori (UAE) + 00.24,16
5. 23 FA.RO. ACCIAI - G M Gabbiani (ITA) / L Nicolini (ITA) + 03.10,71
6. 74 Poliform - G Cappellini (MON) / G Montavoci (ITA) dnf
7. 7 Victory Team of Australia - D Nicholson (AUS) / P Mc Grath (NZL) dnf
8. 8 Subseapilot - Y Bratland (NOR) / B Jacobsen (NOR) dnf
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 8
1. 3 Victory Team - 177pts
2. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 127pts
3. 10 Fendi Racing - 87pts
4. 91 Zabo Isiklar - 63pts
5. 96 Spirit of Qatar - 53pts
6. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 45pts
7. 7 Victory Team of Australia - 37pts
8. 23 FA.RO ACCIAI - 34pts
9. 74 Spirit of Gabon - Poliform - 22pts
10. 8 Subseapilot - 7pts
11. 90 Welmax - 5pts
12. 9 Welmax - 0pts
MIDDLE EAST CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 6
1. 3 Victory Team - 112pts
2. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 75pts
3. 10 Fendi Racing - 52pts
4= 91 Zabo Isiklar - 33pts
4= 7 Victory Team of Australia - 33pts
6. 96 Spirit of Qatar - 32pts
7. 23 FA.RO ACCIAI - 23pts
8. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 9pts
9. 74 Spirit of Gabon - Poliform - 7pts
10. 8 Subseapilot - 3pts
11. 90 Welmax - 0pts
www.class-1.com

Web: Dalla Pieta New Web Site

Dalla Pieta from Venice, Italy presents its new World wide web virtual showroom.  This firm story starts in 1949 when Bepi Dalla Pieta builds his first boat, but it will be ten years later to this when the first establishment is opened on the Giudecca island in Venice.  The first steps of Dalla Pieta the builder are outboard boats from four to seven meters named; Rio, Laguna, and Ionio and these are soon followed by other inboard models; Adriatico, Tirreno, and Pacifico.  Thanks to its Hunt inspired deep Vee hulls various Dalla Pieta models have success in many competitions and soon the name is associated with good sea keeping, so the company launches the revolutionary Manta a boat fully dedicated to racing.  In the seventies Dalla Pieta due to more clients demand moves its premises to Marghera where it can build larger craft up to 14 meters.  In the eighties comes the transfer of ownership to the sons of Bepi; Gianni and Giorgio who expand to a new production facility in Fusina-Malcontenta and also begin an expansion period of the yard with the 28 and 37 Altair open sports cruisers, the 52 Asterion flybridge motor yacht, and the very revolutionary for the early nineties 43 and 55 Al Na'Ir hard top models.  Both the Al Na'Ir where in fact both featured with a patio door and an opening hard top capsule which even in today's standards was well ahead of its time.  The period from 2002 till 09 sees a growth of 700% to Dalla Pieta, and important organizational changes with Michele Cazzanti head of the company along Giorgio, and Engineer Fausto Colombi coming from Riva and Sarnico yards taking responsibility of building. This growth is soon stopped due to recession hitting the World and Dalla Pieta is in liquidation for a year in 2010 purchased later by a big multi national company who gives the helm to Franco Nocera and Giovan Battista Penzo, both part of the Venice brand recent history. Today Dalla Pieta builds six models from fifty to eighty feet starting with the  DP50 HT, up to the DP80 HT.  Its latest model is this year 2012 launched DP70 Fly sold on plan to a dedicated client.  Dalla Pieta new web site is available in Italian and English language and takes you around with the following buttons; Home, Company, Yachts, Preowned, News, and Contacts.  Dalla Pieta has also its social network hubs; Facebook, and Youtube with a direct link available on the top right corner of the new site.    

www.dallapieta.it

New Model: Starfisher 290 Cancun Cabin

As it happens today in most models over forty feet, but very less sub thirty size Starfisher from Portugal was clever enough to present a hard top version for its 290 Cancun, renamed in this new upper structure version as Cabin.  The new Starfisher 290 Cancun Cabin presents itself with an enclosed hard top covering a huge portion of the exterior aft deck which features a sun pad to aft, L-shaped settee to port side, and helm with behind a well sized wet bar to starboard. Alternatively one can also order the sun pad replaced by a C-shaped settee.  Inside the 290 Cancun Cabin presents the usual layout in this size with two areas sleeping four people, plus a galley and a separate head.  Power is single or twin engines in stern drive propulsion.

Technical Data:

LOA - 9.13 m (29.5ft)

Hull Length - 7.98 m

Beam - 3.00 m

Displacement - 4/76 t

Fuel Capacity - 500 l

Water Capacity - 110 l

Accommodation - 4 berths

Max Persons - 8

Engines - 1 x 250hp, 350hp, 2 x 160hp, 260hp

Propulsion - single or twin stern drives

Certification - CE B

www.starfisher.com

Class 1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview

Arif Al Zafeen and Mohammed Al Marri will make the short journey from the team’s headquarters in Dubai for the final Grand Prix of the year in Abu Dhabi (19-21) with the title all but won, and needing just a handful of points to win a remarkable 12th World title for Victory Team.
The Champions elect need to finish ahead of their neighbours Team Abu Dhabi who can still mathematically win the Championship should Victory suffer some kind of monumental meltdown – which is highly unlikely.
With the Edox Pole Position Championship already won Al Zafeen and Al Marri will now be looking to complete the season grand slam. After five wins and two further podium finishes they sit at the top of the World Championship standings with 137 points, 32 clear of Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori and lead them in the Middle East Championship by 15 points.
Victory Team’s trophy haul began back in 1993, winning the World title in their debut season. Over the last two decades they have won 91 races from 167 starts en route to 11 World tiles, winning the European Championship seven times, the Middle East Championship five times and picking up eight Pole Position titles.
With Sheikh Hassan disappointingly calling time on the Spirit of Qatar Team’s Class 1 campaign after boycotting race 2 in Dubai, the door is left open for a clutch of teams to battle it out for podium honours, with Team Abu Dhabi and LFFendi10 looking to carry the fight to Victory.
Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Mansoori have pushed their UAE cousins hard all year and have enjoyed their best season since teaming-up in Norway in 2010, picking up six podium finishes and will be looking to close out their year with a win on home waters.
Despite boycotting race 2 last weekend LFFendi10 will line up in Abu Dhabi, with Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella all set to secure third spot in the World Championship standings but they may well have to stave off a challenge from Darren Nicholson and Peter McGrath - who were impressive in their first outing in the Championship in Dubai running in the latest generation Victory hull with a fourth and a podium finish - in the fight for a top three finish in the Middle East Championship.
Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski matched their best performance of the season in Dubai with a fourth place in Zabo-Isiklar and will be intent on maintaining their top six status despite being limited in their choice of set-up, with FARO ACCIAI’s Gian Maria Gabbiani and Luca Nicolini looking to build on their double points finish last time out.
After just one points finish from seven starts Guido Cappellini and Giampaolo Montavoci will be hoping to close out a frustrating year with a trouble free run in Spirit of Gabon-Poliform, with Subseapilot's Yngve Bratland and Bjorge Jacobsen hoping for their first points of their UAE campaign.
First Practice takes place on Wednesday from 11.30-13.00hrs (local) with official qualifying in the Edox Pole Position at 15.30hrs. A second practice session on Thursday morning at 10.30hrs is followed by Race 1 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - 10 laps / 49.97Nm at 15.30hrs, with a final practice session on Friday morning at 10.30hrs and Race 2– 14 laps / 70.17Nm at 15.30hrs.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 7
1. 3 Victory Team - 137pts

2. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 105pts

3= 96 Spirit of Qatar - 53pts

3= 10 Fendi Racing - 53pts

5. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 45pts

6. 91 Zabo Isiklar - 42pts

7. 7 Victory Team of Australia - 21pts

8. 23 Fa.Ro Acciai - 19pts

9. 74 Spirit of Gabon - Poliform - 13pts

10. 90 Welmax - 5pts

11= 9 Welmax - 0pts

12= 8 Subseapilot - 0pts
MIDDLE EAST CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 4
1. 3 Victory Team - 72pts

2. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 57pts

3. 96 Spirit of Qatar - 32pts

4. 10 Fendi Racing - 22pts

5. 7 Victory Team of Australia - 21pts

6. 91 Zabo Isiklar - 16pts

7. 23 Fa.Ro Acciai - 12pts

8. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 9pts

9= 74 Spirit of Gabon - Poliform - 0pts

9= 90 Welmax - 0pts

9= 8 Subseapilot - 0pts
EDOX POLE POSITION CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 4
1. 3 Victory Team - 75pts

2. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 45pts

3. 96 Spirit of Qatar - 35pts

4. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 31pts

5. 10 Fendi Racing - 24 pts

6. 90 Welmax - 16pts

7. 9 Welmax - 12pts

8= 74 Poliform - 9pts

8= 91 Zabo Isiklar - 9pts

10. 7 Victory Team of Australia - 7pts

11. 23 Fa.Ro. Acciai - 5pts

12. 8 Subseapilot - 3pts

www.class-1.com

Project: Steeler NG65 Classic

Its very interesting seeing the Dutch more in the small sizes, and it is more curious to see even more steel used in the sub super yacht sizes.  The Dutch have a tremendous quality name and it seems now that boaters are looking for this in the smaller sizes.  Steeler is one of the handful Dutch builders who are creating a stir in the small sizes and today we present you its new flagship the NG65 Classic.  Interesting this new Steeler will come with a very competitive starting price attached to it which makes it similar to that of most sixteen meter planning fiberglass competition.  Although I am sure if you spec more to this the NG65 Classic price will rise significantly, example in this is that the standard engine is a single Yanmar 320hp.  Standard accommodation plan is for a four double cabins layout.

www.steeleryachts.com     

New Model: Absolute 40 STL

Absolute's 40 STL presents a new chapter for the North Italian boat builder who presents a large open cruiser with a nice comfortable interior, and a walk around style deck space.  When the rendering was presented and looking into some Italian forums many boaters said they did not enjoy much this new Absolute 40 Sport Line, but personally I see it as a nice offer for those looking for a day cruiser with capability of to making a cruise.  The deck space of the 40 STL presents itself as a center console with both the side decks, to port and starboard allowing free undisturbed passageway from the bathing platform to the fore tip.  The accommodation plan here resides in the middle with a central sun pad, C-shaped settee, wet bar, and a two seat helm station.  Below is an accommodation plan sleeping a total of four with the layout consisting of a convertible Vee shaped dinette to fore, shower head, galley, and a full beam separate owners cabin to midships.  Power is twin Volvo engines; diesel 300 or 330hp, and petrol gasoline 270 and 320hp units. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 11.9 m (39ft)

Hull Length - 9.97 m

Beam - 3.99 m

Fuel Capacity - 780 l

Water Capacity - 190 l

Accommodation - 4 berths

Max Persons - 10

Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 300hp, D6 330hp, Petrol Gas Volvo 5.0 GXi 270hp, 5.7 GXi 320hp 

Propulsion - Volvo DPH or DPS dual propeller stern drive

Project - Absolute Research and Development Lab

Certification - CE B  

www.absoluteyachts.com

Class 1 - Dubai Grand Prix

RACE 1

Sheikh Hassan Bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis produced a brilliant tactical drive in rough conditions off the Mina Seyahi to come from behind to take their second win of the season in race 1 in Dubai of the Emirates-Dubai Duty Free and Skydive Dubai Grand Prix.

The pole-sitters and 2012 Champions elect, Arif Al Zafeen and Mohammed Al Marri saw their hopes of victory disappear in the latter stages to finish in second place ahead of Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella in LFF10.

The decision by the Spirit of Qatar 96 crew to take their two mandatory long-laps early after a poor start dropped them to third place behind LFF10 and the early race leader’s Victory, paid off.

They began their fight back as the front two runners went for their long laps and on lap six passed LFF10 and then set about overhauling the 40-second deficit to Victory.

By lap eight they had cut the gap to ten seconds, passing the Championship leader’s two laps later to go on and take the win by 14-seconds, completing the 12 laps/53.76Nm in 38:03.77s.

Despite a brilliant start by Al Zafeen and Al Marri and easing out to a comfortable lead in the early stages of the race, an engine issue in the closing laps and second place means their hopes of trying to close-out the Championship in front of their home crowd now depends on them winning race 2 and Team Abu Dhabi, who finished in fourth place, finishing outside the top six.

Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella mirrored their performance in official qualifying, but a ballast issue mid-race prevented them from holding off the Spirit of Qatar charge to the front, costing them a possible second spot.

Peter McGrath and Class 1 newcomer Darren Nicholson survived one or two nervous moments in the new Victory hull, running as Victory Team Australia, coming home in fifth place despite being given a time penalty for missing a turn buoy, ahead of Zabo-Isiklar and FA.RO Acciai.

A 360 spin-out on lap two ended Guido Cappellini and Giampaolo Montavoci’s race, with Yngve Bratland and Bjorge Jacobsen’s Subseapilot stopping on the same lap with a technical problem. Ali Al Neama and Matteo Nicolini failed to make the start after damaging Spirit of Qatar 95 in qualifying.

EMIRATES/DUBAI DUTY FREE and SKYDIVE DUBAI GRAND PRIX, RACE 1 – Results

1. 96 Spirit of Qatar - H Al Thani (QAT) / S Curtis (ENG) - 00.38.03,77

2. 3 Victory - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) + 00.14,72

3. 10 Fendi Racing - L Formilli Fendi (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) + 00.35,56

4. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - R Al Tayer (UAE) / M Al Mansoori (UAE) + 02.46,00

5. 7 Victory Team of Australia - D Nicholson (AUS) / P Mc Grath (NZL) + 03.57,00

6. 91 Zabo Isiklar - U Isik (TUR) / C Zaborowski (NOR) + 1 LAP

7. 23 FA.RO. Acciai - G M Gabbiani (ITA) / L Nicolini (ITA) + 2 LAPS

8. 8 Subseapilot - Y Bratland (NOR) / B Jacobsen (NOR) dnf

9. 74 Poliform - G Cappellini (MON) / G Montavoci (ITA) dnf

10. 95 Spirit of Qatar - A Al Neama (QAT) / M Nicolini (ITA) dns

RACE 2

Arif Al Zafeen and Mohammed Al Marri cruised to a somewhat hollow victory in the Skydive Dubai Grand Prix, following extraordinary scenes before the start with three boats boycotting the race and returning to the pits.

The decision by Spirit of Qatar’s team principal Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Luca Formilli Fendi to boycott the race hinged on the fact that they [teams] were informed of the decision to change the course 45 minutes before the start of the race, and that Victory were late to the race pontoon because they were changing their set-up.

Despite all teams being given the opportunity by UIM Race Commissioner Gordon Sutherland to return to the pits to change set-ups, only Darren Nicholson and Peter McGrath of Victory Team Australia took up the option.

Not for the first time over the race weekend the weather was the powerful dictator, forcing race officials to shorten the course for the mornings practice and then reduce it considerably further and run a ‘storm course’ due to the extreme conditions on the outside leg.

With Subseapilot already side-lined after losing their escape hatch and damaging the boat in the morning session, and the withdrawal of both Qatar boats and LFF 10, six lined up for the revised 13 lap 42.14Nm race with officials opting for a rolling start with the boats running line stern.

The absence of yesterday’s race winner and third placed boat handed the advantage to Al Zafeen and Al Marri who disappeared into the distance from the green flag and were unchallenged throughout, and cruised to their fourth win of the year to extend their lead in the Championship standings to 30 points.

Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori added to their podium haul with an untroubled second place to keep them insight of their UAE rivals in the title race.

Class 1 newcomer Darren Nicholson and Class 1 returnee Peter McGrath took full advantage of the situation to celebrate their entry into the Championship finishing in third place in Victory Team Australia, with Zabo-Isiklar and FARO ACCIAI picking up valuable points coming home in fourth and fifth spots, but there was frustration for Spirit of Gabon-Poliform who stopped on lap 1.

EMIRATES/DUBAI DUTY FREE and SKYDIVE DUBAI GRAND PRIX, RACE 2 – Results

1. 3 Victory - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) 00.28.16,28

2. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - R Al Tayer (UAE) / M Al Mansoori (UAE) + 00.08,77

3. 7 Victory Team of Australia - D Nicholson (AUS) / P Mc Grath (NZL) + 00.48,36

4. 91 Zabo Isiklar - U Isik (TUR) / C Zaborowski (NOR) + 01.28,00

5. 23 FA.RO. Acciai - G M Gabbiani (ITA) / L Nicolini (ITA) + 2 LAPS

6. 74 Poliform - G Cappellini (MON) / G Montavoci (ITA) dnf

96 Spirit of Qatar - H Al Thani (QAT) / S Curtis (ENG) dns

95 Spirit of Qatar - A Al Neama (QAT) / M Nicolini (ITA) dns

10 Fendi Racing - L Formilli Fendi (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) dns

8 Subseapilot - Y Bratland (NOR) / B Jacobsen (NOR) dns

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 7

1. 3 Victory Team - 132pts

2. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 102pts

3. 96 Spirit of Qatar - 73pts

4. 10 Fendi Racing - 50pts

5. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 45pts

6. 91 Zabo Isiklar - 40pts

7. 7 Victory Team of Australia - 19pts

8. 23 FA.RO. Acciai - 18pts

9. 74 Spirit of Gabon - Poliform - 13pts

10. 90 Welmax - 5pts

11= 9 Welmax - 0pts

12= 8 Subseapilot - 0pts

MIDDLE EAST CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 4

1. 3 Victory Team - 67pts

2. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 54pts

3. 96 Spirit of Qatar - 52pts

4= 7 Victory Team of Australia - 19pts

4= 10 Fendi Racing - 19pts

6. 91 Zabo Isiklar - 14pts

7. 23 FA.RO. Acciai - 11pts

8. 95 Spirit of Qatar - 9pts

9= 74 Spirit of Gabon - Poliform - 0pts

9= 90 Welmax - 0pts

9= 8 Subseapilot - 0pts

www.class-1.com