Class 1 - Sanya China Grand Prix

RACE 1

Victory’s Arif Al Zaffain and Mohammed Al Marri made the perfect start to their title defence with a convincing win in race 1 of the Sanya Grand Prix.
The defending Champions had to come from behind after being outgunned at the start by Zabo-Isiklar’s Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski, who led the Victory duo into the first turn to lead by three seconds at the end of the opening lap.
Behind the race leaders the LFFendi10 crew of Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella made the jump on Victory Australia’s Darren Nicholson and Class 1 newcomer Ross Willaton to move up a place from fourth on the start line.
The race outcome hinged on two opposite race strategies, Zabo-Isiklar opting to take their mandatory short-lap early, on lap 2, and a brilliant midrace stint of the 11-lap, 51.51Nm race by the defending World, Middle East and Edox Pole Position Champions, and their decision to go late with their short-lap on 7.
LFFendi10 followed the move by Zabo-Isiklar to get ahead of Victory who suddenly found themselves 27 seconds adrift of the leaders.
Victory immediately began to push and regained second spot on lap 4, with the deficit cut to 12 seconds two laps later. On lap 7 Victory took their short lap to come out well ahead of Zabo-Isiklar and turn the deficit into a 23 seconds advantage.
For the remainder of the race Al Zaffain and Al Marri controlled their pace and the race to run out the comfortable winners by over 40 seconds.
Despite conceding the lead after being out front for over half race distance, Zabo-Isiklar’s Christian Zaborowski was more than pleased with a second podium in as many days.
The fight for the final step on the podium was a bruising encounter between LFFendi10 and Victory Australia for 6 of the 11 laps; the Australians attacked again and again and got to within two seconds of the Italians who defended their podium spot heroically to hang on and take third place.
The Sanya shuffle saw throttleman Giampaolo Montavoci switch back into Poliform to race with Class 1 debutant Salim Al Adidi, and Tomaso Polli step out to take the sticks beside Faleh Al Mansoori in Team Abu Dhabi – the two Italians enjoying mixed fortunes.
Montavoci and Al Adidi’s race ended early, with Poliform towed off the course on lap 2 with technical problems, Polli and Al Faleh going the distance and producing a very credible performance to finish in fifth place ahead of another solid outing by Gian Maria Gabbiani and Luca Nicolini in FA.Ro ACCIAI.
There was disappointment for Alfrdeo Amato and Miles Jennings in LFFendi8, retiring on lap 2 and more frustration for Marit Stromoy and Pal Virik Nilsen in Visun Sanya who hit problems before the start and returned to the pits.
SANYA GRAND PRIX - RACE 1 - results1. 3 Victory - A Al Zaffain (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) - 33.15,70
2. 91 Zabo Isiklar - U Isik (TUR) / C Zaborowski (NOR) + 00.43,87s
3. 10 LFFendi10 - L Formilli Fendi (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) + 01.15.00s
4. 7 Victory Australia - D Nicholson (AUS) / R Willaton (AUS) + 01.18,00s
5. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - F Al Mansoori (UAE) / Tomaso Polli (ITA) + 02.39.00
6. 23 FA.RO. ACCIAI - G M Gabbiani (ITA) / L Nicolini (ITA) - 1 lap
7. 8 LFFendi8 - Miles Jennings (GBR) / A Amato (ITA) - dnf
8. 74 Poliform - S Al Adidi (UAE) / G Montavoci (SUI) - dnf
9. 86 Visun Sanya - M Stromoy (NOR) / PV Nilsen (NOR) - dns

RACE 2

Arif Al Zaffain and Mohammed Al Marri wrapped up the perfect opening to their season, winning race 2 of the Sanya Grand Prix to add to their wins in qualifying and race 1 to complete their Sanya hat-trick.

But Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski’s hopes of carrying the fight to Victory 3 and adding to their double podium seconds, ended in spectacular fashion when they barrel-rolled Zabo-Isiklar at the first turn.

Both pilots were unhurt but the severity of the damage to the boat became clearer once it had been towed back to the pits.

Zabo-Isiklar’s dramatic exit brought out the red flag and forced a restart, with the race shortened to 14 laps.

The Victory duo again took control from the start and was unchallenged at the front throughout, systematically extending their lead lap-by-lap to eventually run out comfortable winners by 45-seconds to lead the Championship by 16-points.

Victory Australia’s Daren Nicholson and Ross Willaton, and LFFendi10’s Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella picked-up where they left off yesterday, resuming their on water fight.

But this time the Australian duo were able to turn the tables on their Italian rivals, passing them on lap 3 to go on and take their second podium of the weekend.

Italy’s Tomaso Polli rounded off a busy and successful event that started on the wheel of Poliform and ended with two outings on the throttles of Team Abu Dhabi alongside Class 1 rookie, Faleh Al Mansoori.

The scratch pairing produced a more than impressive second outing, going one better than in race 1 to take a very respectable fourth place.

Gian Maria Gabbiani and Luca Nicolini enjoyed a solitary race maintaining fifth place throughout and once again proved their reliability, completing their sixth straight points finish in Fa.Ro. ACCIAI.

Giampaolo Montavoci’s afternoon hit trouble on lap 1, an electrical problem forcing Poliform to a crawl. But the Italian and his rookie driver, Salim Al Adidi stuck with it, Poliform kicked back into life, and they were able to go on and complete the race to finish in the points in fifth.

Newcomers Miles Jennings and Alfredo Amato went further than in race 1, but were unimpressed with the first corner hose down by Poliform which all but drowned their engine. The duo stayed out hoping to clear the problem and limped round for eight laps, falling one lap short of the 70% ruling that would have at least given them some well-deserved points.

Marit Stromoy and Pal Virik Nilsen’s already frustrating time in Sanya was compounded when they failed to make the start.

SANYA GRAND PRIX - RACE 2 - results

1. 3 Victory - A Al Zaffain (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) - 42.36,27

2. 7 Victory Australia - D Nicholson (AUS) / R Willaton (AUS) + 45,84s

2. 10 LFFendi10 - L Formilli Fendi (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) + 01.22.00s

4. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - F Al Mansoori (UAE) / Tomaso Polli (ITA) + 01.35.00s

5. 23 Ra.Ro. ACCIAI - G M Gabbiani (ITA) / L Nicolini (ITA) - 1 lap

6. 74 Poliform - S Al Adidi (UAE) / G Montavoci (SUI) - 2 laps

8 LFFendi8 - Miles Jennings (GBR) / A Amato (ITA) - 6 laps

86 Visun Sanya - M Stromoy (NOR) / PV Nilsen (NOR) - dns

91 Zabo Isiklar - U Isik (TUR) / C Zaborowski (NOR) - dns

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - after race 2

1. 3 Victory Team - 40pts

2= 10 LFFendi10 - 24pts

2= 7 Victory Australia - 24pts

4. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - 16pts

5. 91 Zabo-Isiklar - 15pts

6. 23 FA.RO.ACCIAI - 12pts.

7. 74 Poliform - 5pts

www.class-1.com

Project: Sunseeker 80 Sport Yacht

Presented as a new line by Sunseeker at the start of year the Sport Yacht range features five models three of which still in project stages.  The 80 Sport Yacht will sit in the middle of this range and is based on the Southampton 2012 presented Predator of the same designation with the addition of a sport bridge deck on top.   A formula which seems to be working quite more in recent years.  The sport bridge of the 80 Sport Yacht will be accessed from a stair case to port side.  The layout of the bridge will feature a helm to port side, and a large C-shaped settee opposite with a wet bar in the middle.  So far Sunseeker have not listed any detailed interior plans for the 80 Sport Yacht, but in my book this should feature a similar layout to the Predator who has four double guest cabins, and a very smart single level main deck with dining and relaxing areas.  Power for the Sunseeker 80 Sport Yacht start from three MTU engine choice from 1550hp and goes up to 2640 units, these last available only with the Arneson surface drives propulsion option. 

www.sunseeker.com

Project: Magazzu MX-14 Classic

Magazzu the rib Sicily builder presents the MX-14 Classic.  With this new project Magazzu also present the Classic line; which in my understanding takes this title for its fore flush deck, and windshield which give that retro touch to this rib cruiser.  Inside the MX-14 Classic will feature an interior with a separate owners cabin to fore, L-shaped settee for four persons which convets to a double berth, galley, and a shower head.  Outside the MX-14 Classic welcomes guest with two sun pads, a bench settee, and a center console covered by a hardtop in a T form.  Power is from twin engines up to a total power of 960hp.  The twin step hull can reach top speeds up to 45 knots with max power units installed. 

www.magazzu.com

Improve-it = Horizon E56

Horizon recently completed a new E56 motoryacht for an Australian client that features a customized layout ideally suited more for the down under continent market.  Important changes have been featured to this model to the galley, master stateroom and exterior areas. This new E56 layout has been added to the collection of flexible layouts offered for this recent addition to the Horizon line.  On this E56's main deck, a large built-in storage cabinet starboard side in the galley has replaced a dinette, as dining will take place mainly on the aft deck; however if a quick bite is all that's needed, a breakfast bar with two seats is incorporated in the galley. Below deck, the master stateroom includes both port and starboard cabinets, with an abundance of storage drawers in each cabinet, in addition to the walk-in closet space on the starboard side. All guest staterooms and interior areas offer carefully-designed lighting and incorporate as much natural light as possible, a characteristic of the E56 model.  On the flybridge, the Volvo joystick has been moved to the starboard side for an improved view when maneuvering, and the BBQ resides on the starboard aft deck, housed within a custom cabinet.  The Horizon E56 is a three double flybridge motor yacht with a full beam owners cabins.  Power is from twin Volvo 700hp engines with IPS pod drives.

www.horizonyacht.com 

Class 1 - 2013 Season Preview

Fifty-years after American Jim Wynne won the first UIM sanctioned World Drivers Championship in 1964 the sport celebrates its anniversary-season with an historic first Grand Prix in the Peoples Republic of China.

The bustling city port of Sanya on the southernmost point of Hainan Island, often referred to as the Chinese Riviera, will provide one of the most diverse and exciting backdrops of the year when it hosts the Sanya Grand Prix and the season-opener, 28-30 March.

Defending World, Middle East and Edox Pole Position Champions Arif Al Zaffain and Mohammed Al Marri will lead the nine-strong fleet out as the Victory Team celebrates its own impressive landmark of competing at the top level in international powerboat racing.

Twenty-one year’s after lifting their first World Championship in 1993, Victory Team’s title holders will be the pair to beat and will be looking to carry on where they left off in 2012 as they go in search of the team’s 13th World crown and adding to Victory’s remarkable tally of 93 wins from 168 starts.

Al Zaffain and Al Marri have proved a powerful force since teaming-up at the end of 2011, winning eight times in 11 outings and qualifying in pole position five-times. This season Al Zaffain is chasing a sixth World title and Al Marri a fourth.

Team Abu Dhabi head the list of challengers who face the daunting task of trying to unsettle and depose the Champions, and since entering the series in 2010 has become a growing force in the sport – albeit slightly overshadowed by their illustrious neighbours.

Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori is an exciting partnership that has grown in stature since pairing for the first time in 2011 and their season-haul of six podiums last year saw them push the Champions all the way to eventually take the Championship runners-up slot and the team’s best overall finish.

Chasing both the Middle East outfits will be Italy’s Fendi Racing with Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella, a revitalised combination since switching out of their Outerlimits hull- engine package and into a Victory hull powered by SCAM V12s.

LFFendi10 will roll-out in a new livery at the season-opener with the all-Italian pairing looking to build on their third overall in last year’s Championship standings.

After switching hulls the duo produced an impressive run in the second half of 2012 picking up four podium seconds, one each in Gabon and Dubai and a double podium in Abu Dhabi and are genuine title challengers in 2013.

The line-up in the second Fendi Racing boat, the Outerlimits hull, will see two newcomers joining the Championship ranks, with Italian Alfredo Amato teaming-up with Englishman, Miles Jennings.

Following weeks of intensive pre-season preparation in Dubai, Zabo Racing’s team principal, Jan Zaborowski, is confident that the team will pick up in China where they left off in Abu Dhabi at the end of last season - on the podium - as they look to break the V12 dominance.

The line-up inside Zabo-Isiklar remains the same with Turkey’s Ugur Isik and Norway’s Christian Zaborowski starting their third consecutive season as they look for their first win together. The duo will be hoping to build on last year’s fourth overall in the points table and will run the same Mercury 850 V8 engine package.

A switch in line-up in Victory Australia sees Australia’s Ross Willaton step in for Peter McGrath to take the throttles and partner countryman Darren Nicholson.

The Australian duo will run the same Victory hull powered by Victory V12 power-plants that Nicholson and McGrath acclimatised too quickly and made good use of in the final two races of 2012, with a podium apiece in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well as a third quickest in qualifying in Abu Dhabi.

Team D’Alessio-SCAM has confirmed the same line up with Gian Maria Gabbiani on the wheel alongside Luca Nicolini in the SCAM V12-powered FA.RO. ACCIAI.

The all-Italian pairing joined forces last season at the Gabon Grand Prix, finishing in fifth place. Their Italian Grand Prix ended in dramatic fashion when they went over and out of the weekend at the first corner of race 1, but ran out the season with three top-six finishes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to end up eighth in the Championship points table.

Nicolini is a racing veteran with 25-years’ experience, getting his first Class 1 outing in 1993, dipping in and out of the series over the years and has 23 race starts under his belt. Gabbiani made his powerboat debut in 2010; he stepped-up to Class 1 last year to race alongside Guido Cappellini in Qatar, joining Team D’Alessio-SCAM in July.

Teaming-up to race together for the first time and to run under the colours of Sanya and event organiser Visun Group are two of Norway’s most accomplished powerboat stars Marit Strømøy and Pål Virik Nilsen.

Marit will swap the confines of her single-seater F1H2O circuit boat to take the wheel beside the experienced Pål Virik in the Maritimo-designed and built hull powered by Mercury V8 power-plants that she made her Class 1 debut in in Brazil in 2010.

Born in Sandefjord, Norway and now living in Oslo, 36-year-old Strømøy made her racing debut in 1989 at the age of twelve, picking up numerous European and Nordic titles as she moved up through the smaller classes to make her debut and become the first woman to compete in F1H2O Championship in 2007.

In 2011 she made racing history when she became the first woman in F1H2O to qualify in Pole Position.

At 38, Pål Virik is an accomplished Class 1 veteran with 32 starts under his belt. He made his Class 1 debut in 2005 and in 2007 he switched roles from driver to throttleman to form an exciting partnership with Tom Barry-Cotter - the duo going on to win a hat-trick of titles in the Australian Offshore Superboat Championship (2008/9/10).

He finished on the podium three times in Class 1 in 2009 and once in 2011. Last season he competed in Class 1 in Qatar and in the F2 World Championship, his win in Cagliari in Italy the highlight of a season cut short through injury.

A surprise move by DAC Racing’s team principal and driver Guido Cappellini not to race sees the call-up of Italian Tomaso Polli to replace him in Poliform.

The decision by Cappellini puts 37-year-old Polli back behind the wheel of a Class 1 for the first time since he raced alongside Luca Nicolini in Dubai in 2011, to partner Giampaolo Montavoci, one of the most experienced throttlemen on the tour with 101 Grand Prix starts under his belt and starting his sixteenth season in Class 1.

The location of the newly constructed dry and wet pits puts the Class 1 boats into the heart of the hustle and bustle of the port to share the water with the fleets of traditional fishing and trading boats, and luxury super yachts moored opposite the imposing Visun Royal Yacht Club, which will give the anticipated tens-of-thousands of spectators a grand-stand view when they motor out along the Sanya River and past the man-made Phoenix Island to the 5.66Nm race circuit on Sanya Bay.

The first official practice session is on Thursday (28) morning followed by qualifying in the Edox Pole Position at 14.30hrs (local). Two further practice sessions precede both races which start at 15.30hrs (local) on Friday, 29 and Saturday, 30.

www.class-1.com

Project: Tornado 60

Tornado Marine from central Italy in Rome, presents the project of a new 60 model flagship.  This new Tornado extends Tornado lenght by ten feet to its current largest model; the 50 Classic.  In this model and as the rendering shows Tornado follows its core concept of a classic pure open sport yacht, a theme which started in the US and was quickly followed short afterwards by builders in central Italy.  So timeless lines is the word on the Tornado 60 with a nice flash fore deck.  The cockpit deck also follow a traditional layout with a large sunpad lying to port, C-shaped dinette, and helm to starboard.  This is so far the details we can give on this new 60 by Tornado, hoping that the Rome builder sends some more information in the short near future. 

www.tornadoyachts.it

New Model: Cheoy Lee 76 Alpha Express Flybridge

Cheoy Lee seems getting a lot of good feedback on its new modern Alpha line of planning fast yacths, and after presenting the first of this series the 76 Express, follows this with a Flybridge version of same. This features an addition of the bridge with a second helm covered by a rigid open hard top style. As was the case for the hard top sport yacht Express version the 76 Alpha Flybridge is all about incorporating latest Mediterranean style trends; large view window in full beam owners cabin, fore settee, and a very opening living main deck.  The lower deck will feature three double cabins with a crew room located strategically at midships in between the engine and owners room.  Power is twin MTU 1200hp engines with propulsion coming from ZF pod drives. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 23.35 m (76.6ft)

Hull Length - 21.5 m

Waterline Length - 18.13 m

Beam - 6.04 m

Draft - 1.65 m

Displacement - 48600 kg

Fuel Capacity - 4088 l

Water Capacity - 1000 l

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

Engines - 2 x MTU 8B 2000 M93 1200hp

Speed - 40 knots max

Propulsion - ZF 500 pod drives

Construction - Monocoque construction. Resin Infused by SP High Modulus

Project - Micheal Peter Yacht Design, Luiz De Basto interior

Certification - ISO 12215 Category A

www.cheoyleena.com

Project: Codecasa 50 C121

Codecasa Shipyards are proud to present the project of the new Codecasa 50 developed entirely by the in-house Style Department, headed by Domenico Gozzani.  The project of the new Codecasa 50 recalls, with the exception of a softening in the forward part of the main deck, the line of the hull of the Vintage Series.  The first unit of the new 50 which is hull C121, is already under construction for delivery scheduled in Spring 2015.  In the new Codecasa 50, however, the straight bow is combined to a more sinuous and feminine superstructure than the one on the Vintage Series and the bulwark lightens on the main deck and bridge deck levels, allowing also the inclusion of larger windows. The lightening impression with respect to the Codecasa 50 Vintage Series is also present on the Sun Deck, where the glass walled gymnasium replaces the “solid” base of the mast.  The Codecasa Shipyard Style Department was able to express its creativity and, using the same hull, to design two Yachts of the same length, but almost antithetical in the external lines: on the one hand, the rigorous profile of the 50 Vintage Series, almost austere in its masculinity, on the other hand the much more modern lines of the new 50. The only commonly shared trait between the two projects, besides the length, is the fusion of elegant simplicity and high functionality, of style and high technology, as the Yachts built by this Italian builder traditionally do.

www.codecasayachts.com

Project: Nimbus 405 Coupe

Modern look design with clever, functional solutions this is in short the new 405 Coupé, what will be the largest of the popular and award winning sidewalk Nimbus Coupé series so far sold in over three thousand boats in its various models. Quite common from Scandinavian builders the sidewalk deck layout maximises walking space to starboard and makes it very easy to get on and off the boat and spend time on deck, while providing generous roominess in the cockpit and cabin.  The 405 is the largest of the Nimbus Coupé series, which includes the 335 and the 365 models. The 405 is based on the same concept as the award winning 365 Coupé, voted European Power Boat of the year 2012. The boat has many features that are similar to her smaller sister with the addition of new solutions. These include the D-pillar in a new design with integrated ventilation, wholly glazed aft door, electrically powered table on the aft deck, granny hatch in the stern, new engine room ventilation design with active outtake, and a galley with ceramic LPG hybrid hob.  Like the other models, the 405 Coupé is of modern design with integrated glued windows, a large wraparound windshield, opening flush-fitted sliding door to starboard and a large opening sunroof. The flush fitted side door is an integral part of the craft’s design while providing maximum walking space and a large door opening. The side door also allows the helmsman to steer the boat while standing on deck.  The helm station has also been remodelled with its panel that can be equipped with two 12 inch plotters side by side.  The boat has a large aft deck; which is flush with the bathing platform and saloon. The saloon features generous sized flat surfaces and is light and airy, roomy and modern while textiles and cushions that add cosy intimacy. The interior of the boat is highly finished in terms of quality materials and provides a feeling of spaciousness. Bulkhead ares finished in light coloured textiles that both enhance the sensation of space and absorb sound. The boat has three cabins. The owners room to fore, with a separate entrance to the toilet and shower, and two guest cabins to midships with shared toilet. Power is twin Volvo 300 or optional larger 370hp choices.

www.nimbus.se

New Model: Viking 62 Convertible

Viking presents its new 62 Convertible a fusion of its newer style see flush fore deck, and its tradition signature looks as the window profile of the flybridge.  The 62 Convertible is a pure fish fighting machine with impressive comfort inside with a total of four different plans being available.  The internal layout choices are divided into three or four cabins lower deck layouts, and a max sleeping accommodation of nine berths possible when one opts for the cross over cabin to fore.  The main deck plan offers Viking signature plan with an island work top galley and two settees to port side; one reserved for relaxing and another more dedicated to dining.  Power is twin 1925hp Cat engines which give max speeds of 42 knots.

Technical Data:

LOA - 19.2 m (63.1ft)

Beam - 5.8 m

Draft - 1.5 m

Displacement - 41810kg

Fuel Capacity - 6814 l

Water Capacity - 1413 l

Accommodation - 8 berths in 4 cabins, or 6 berths in 3 cabins

Engines - 2 x Cats C32A 1925hp

Propulsion - line shafts

Speed - 42 knots max

www.vikingyachts.com