UAE driver Ahmad Al Suwaidi looking for winning debut in new boat

Dubai: Experienced UAE driver Ahmad Al Suwaidi is hoping for a winning debut as he teams up with Italian Serafino Barlesi in Fujairah Racing Team colours in the third heat of the 2013 UIM XCAT World Powerboat Series at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) this week.

Al Suwaidi, who has been competing in all sorts of watersports championships, including the high-end Class One, for more than a decade and a half, has a brand-new boat for the annual championship this weekend.

“It’s really a level playing field and any of the boats can win the race,” throttleman Al Suwaidi told Gulf News after testing his boat with Barlesi on Thursday.

Barlesi and Al Suwaidi have teamed up in the past, winning three times at the European Championships and twice in the 100Nm race for powerboats.

“But this time it is going to be different for both of us as we are really so focused in getting some positive results,” Al Suwaidi said.

“We have some of the best drivers and teams in the field this time, including ten-time Formula One World Champion Guido Capellini. Everyone has the necessary experience on the water to go and win the race, but ultimately it will be the small things that will make the difference,” he added.

The weather is one of these factors that could influence the outcome of the races planned for Friday.

Al Suwaidi hoped the weatherman’s prediction of rain for Friday morning would come true, saying that could give his new boat a distinct advantage over the rest of the field.

“Honestly, I would prefer rough conditions to flat ones. But then I realise that there are other drivers who also have brand-new boats with identical set-ups. So really, the contest would come down to the finer things,” the UAE racer said.

The Fazza pairing of Mohammad Al Merri and Arif Saif Al Zafein lead the overall standings following wins in the first two heats.

Last year’s runners-up Mouawad, with Omar Danial and Gary Ballough, are among the early challengers with a couple of second-place finishes. The Qatar team of Mohammad Al Nasser and Hamad Jasim Zayed are in third place.

“Fazza will be the boat to beat,” Al Suwaidi said.

“But then, both Arif and Mohammad put in so much effort to be where they are. They test their boat and ensure they use the right set-up and propellers. They really deserve to be where they are,” he added.

Friday’s action starts with a mandatory practice session from 9.30am to 11am followed by the Speed Cat Run — a head-to-head contest between two boats, with the fastest awarded the top prize.