Doha, Qatar: Reigning Class 1 World Powerboat Champion Arif Al Zafein of the Dubai Victory Team got the defence of his title under way in brilliant style winning the Qatar Grand Prix, the opening round of the 2008 series.
With new partner Nadir Bin Hindi on throttles, Al Zafein averaged 188.81km/h to lead for the majority of the 20-lap 95.17Nm race and win by more than 26 seconds from Qatar's Shaikh Hassan Bin Jaber Al Thani and Britain's Steve Curtis in Qatar 96.
Making it a stunning start to the 2008 campaign for the Dubai Victory Team were Jean Marc Sanchez and Abdullah Al Muhairbi in Victory 7 who took third despite a catalogue of mechanical problems.
Personal support
Both Victory crews received a huge boost just moments before the race got under way with Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum taking the time to visit the pits to wish both teams well.
Former world champions Khalfan Harib and Mohammad Al Merri, as well as DIMC chief Saeed Hareb, were also on hand to give the team their personal support.
For Al Zafein and Bin Hindi it was a flawless performance after qualifying in Pole Position in what was their first Grand Prix as a team.
Despite being beaten in the race to the first turn by Norway's Jorn Tandberg and Bjorge Jacobsen in Jotun 90, the Dubai duo took advantage of their superior set-up to storm past the Norwegians mid-way through the first lap.
Trouble-free run
Despite early pressure from Abdullah Al Sulaiti and Matteo Nicolini in Qatar 95, the Victory 1 crew were never seriously threatened and enjoyed a trouble-free run to the chequered flag.
"We were neck and neck with Jotun to the first turn but we didn't want to make any mistakes and decided to let them go, stay on their tail and get them on the inside," said a delighted Bin Hindi.
"We didn't give it everything but we certainly pushed for a few laps before saving the engines to make sure everything was fine and we got the win.
"I'd like to thank His Highness Shaikh Mayed for supporting us, Khalfan Harib and Saeed Harib for their personal support and, of course, all our crew - we certainly couldn't do any of this without the guys behind the scenes both here and in Dubai."
Results: Qatar Grand Prix
1. Victory 1 - Al Zafein/Bin Hindi (UAE) 56m:01.56s(188.81km/h) 20pts
2. Qatar 96 - Al Thani/Curtis (Qat/UK) 56m:28.42s (187.31km/h) 15pts
3. Victory 7 - Al Muhairbi/Sanchez (UAE) 58m:34.15s (180.61km/h) 12pts
4. Qatar 95 - Al Sulaiti/Nicolini (Qat/I) + 1 Lap (176.35km/h) 9pts
5. Foresti & Suardi 8 - Montavoci/Selmer (I/Nor) + 2 Laps (165.79km/h) 7pts
6. Seveneleven 18 - Giorgi/Manuzzi (I) + 3 Laps (172.40km/h) 5pts
7. Negotiator 50 - Parsonage/Eker (UK/Nor) + 4 Laps (183.26km/h) 4pts
8. Jotun 90 - Tandberg/Jacobsen (Nor) DNF.
