Arendal, Norway: Local heroes Jorn Tanberg and Inge Brigt Aarbakke stormed home to clinch a brilliant win in the BMW Norwegian Grand Prix - round four of the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship - in Arendal on Sunday.
Despite trailing Dubai's Abdullah Al Mehairbi and Jean Marc Sanchez for more than half of the 17-lap 96.21Nm race, the scarlet Mercury-powered cat finally found a way past Victory 7 at the end of the twelfth lap and never looked in any danger once out in front, taking the win at an average speed of 184.04kmph.
Roared on by tens of thousands of home supporters, Tanberg and Aarbakke held their nerve to claim Jotun's first title since winning the same race two years ago. Second were Al Mehairbi and Sanchez some 13.3 seconds adrift, while world championship leaders Nadir Bin Hindi and Mohammad Al Merri settled for third place a further nine seconds behind.
"It has to be one of the most exciting races in years," said Tanberg. "We propped the boat for high speed on the long straight and the strategy paid off.
Past problems
"We always knew this boat was quick but so far this season we have struggled with gearbox and propeller problems.
"It's probably too much to say we have a chance of the title but at least we are competitive and know we can race with the best."
Despite a minor collision with Jotun - Victory 7's second altercation with another boat in consecutive races - Al Mehairbi was delighted with second place for Dubai's Victory Team.
"That was definitely the toughest race of the season," said Al Mehairbi, who is still looking for his first win in Victory colours.
"When we got caught up with the back markers, we saw Jotun coming up quickly by our side and decided to close the door. But they held their nerve, we traded some paint and they were gone. All credit to them today - their boat was brilliant."
Despite failing to win their fourth consecutive chequered flag of the season, it was a satisfactory day for Bin Hindi and Al Merri. With arch-rivals Shaikh Hassan Bin Jabor Al Thani and Steve Curtis finishing fourth in Qatar 96, the Victory 1 crew have put even more distance between the two boats in the championship standings.
No complaints
"We started to have a problem with one of the engines so we're relieved to have made it to the finish line," said Al Merri. "We have no complaints - Jotun was the best boat out there today and it's good for them and for the town to have a home win."
Despite starting in pole position, there was no present in the shape of a Class 1 win for birthday boy Shaikh Hassan. The Qatari team chief and throttleman Curtis had set the fastest time in pre-race testing to take the number one spot on the grid but were once again left wanting by the sheer pace of the two Victory Team boats from a standing start.
With their first win of the season Jotun move up to fifth in the championship standings but it's Bin Hindi and Al Merri on 80 points who head the table with a 21-point advantage over team-mates Al Mehairbi and Sanchez. The Class 1 World Powerboat Championship moves on to Romania for round five on August 31.
Results
1. Jotun - Tanberg/Aarbakke (Nor) 57m:47.20s (184.04kmph)
2. Victory 7 - Al Mehairbi/Sanchez (UAE/Fr) 58m:00.05s (183.34kmph)
3. Victory 1 - Bin Hindi/Al Merri (UAE) 58m:10.09s (182.83kmph)
Overall World Championship (After 4 rounds)
1. Victory 1 - Bin Hindi/Al Merri (UAE) 80pts
2. Victory 7 - Al Mehairbi/Sanchez (UAE/Fr)59pts
3. Qatar 95 - Al Sulaiti/Nicolini (Q/I) 48pts
4. Qatar 96 - Al Thani/Curtis (Q/UK) 48pts
5. Jotun 90 - Tanberg/Aarbakke (Nor) 42pts
