Team Fazza complete dominant week

Dubai: Fazza completed a dominant week in powerboat racing by finishing at the top of the standings in the third heat of the 2012 X-Cat World Series at the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) yesterday.

Starting from pole position, the pairing of Mohammad Al Merri and Arif Saif Al Zafein made their superior experience count in a brand-new boat as they finished way ahead of Mouawad and Qatar Team, who were second and third respectively.

After a dismal running at the second heat at the same venue last month, Fazza had made their intentions clear during Wednesday's practice session with a strong time of 3 minutes, 11.47 seconds. They nearly matched this performance during yesterday's qualifying run, finishing first in 3:11.50. And in the afternoon, Al Merri and Al Zafein were in complete control, taking the lead from the onset.

In the middle of the course, Consul Brokers and La Vida Loca started experiencing technical difficulties, with the Consul Brokers pairing of Matteo Nicolini and Alfredo Amato retiring while Baglioni Claudio and Giovanni Carpitella continued in La Vida Loca.

At the back of the field, there was a wild scramble for points, with the Abu Dhabi Racing Team of Scott Gillman and Ahmad Al Hameli coming in fourth, ahead of Sky Dive Dubai's Eisa Al Ali and Juma Mattar Al Mazroui.

"This race more than made up for the postponed heat in Dubai," Mohammad Hareb, Member of the Race Committee, said.

"After last weekend's foul weather, it was a welcome change to have some exciting racing here. The Fazza boat was dominant today and our congratulations to them for such a fine win," Sid Bensaleh, Secretary General, WPPA, said. With most of the watersports fraternity now moving to Monaco for the annual UIM Awards this weekend, the action in X-Cat World Series will next shift to the fourth round at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) on April 6-7.