Arendal, Norway: Rookie Mohammad Al Muhairi and veteran throttleman Jean Marc Sanchez swept their way to the top of the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship with a stunning win in the BMW Norwegian Grand Prix in Arendal on Sunday.
The Victory 1 crew had spent most of the weekend in the pits after discovering a trim failure in their V12-powered cat. But that was quickly forgotten as they powered home in 58m:17.06s to win by over a minute from Tom Barry Cotter of Australia and Norwegian Pal Virik Nilsen in Maritimo 11 (59m:46.01s). Making it a great day for the Australian-based outfit, Italy's Giorgio Manuzzi and Kiwi Peter McGrath claimed third in Maritimo 12 (1h:00m:24.23s).
Sanchez, after the ninth Class 1 win of his career, praised the people who worked to set the team up. For Al Muhairi it was a maiden Class 1 victory in just his second outing for the blue boats from Dubai. But with a long history of championship success in the UAE, the 34-year-old is no stranger to the podium.
"I've never felt nervous or under pressure racing for this great team," he said. "We knew we had a lot to do after missing so much of the practice sessions but once we set the fastest time in practice this morning I knew we had a great chance of winning the race."
Victory 1's win means Sanchez and Al Muhairi now lead the world standings on 36pts, five ahead of team-mates Bin Hindi and Al Zafein on 31 with Giampiero Soave and Giampaolo Montavoci in third on 18 points.
Results 1. Victory 1 Al Muhairi/Sanchez (UAE) 00h:58m:17.06s 2. Maritimo 11 Cotter/Nilsen (AUS/NOR) 00h:59m:46.01s 3. Maritimo 12 Manuzzi/Mcgrath (ITA/NZ) 01h:00m:24.23s 4. Foresti & Suardi - Roscioli Hotels 8 Soave/Montavoci (ITA) + 1 lap 5. Fazza 3 Al Zafein/Bin Hindi (UAE) + 3 laps
