This month’s fourth leg of the UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Series will see a couple of new faces challenging for a podium spot.
Making their debut on the Series, which restarts after the summer break on August 30 in Italy, will be the duo of Pål Virik Nilsen and Tom Barry-Cotter who will be racing for the Dubai Duty Free team.
Neither men are strangers to offshore racing, with the more experienced Nilsen having raced in more or less every UIM class of powerboating available on his way to six UIM World and European Championship medals in different offshore and circuit classes. The Norwegian has competed alongside his good friend Barry-Cotter on plenty of occasions in the past and is relishing the opportunity to be back in the boat with the talented young Australian.
“I am very excited about this opportunity together with Dubai Duty Free to enter the UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Series,” said Nilsen. “It’s a Series I have always dreamed about racing, but it has never been possible due to other racing commitments and team contracts. Now finally the time is here and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.
“And to do it together with Tom Barry-Cotter is just a big bonus for me. We have quite a long history together in offshore racing and it’s great we can continue our partnership,” added the Norwegian who last raced with Barry-Cotter in a Class-1 event in Australia in 2010.
“I think XCAT is the most professional series we have in powerboat racing at the moment. The management seems to do a great job, going in the right direction and I can´t wait to hit the water in Stresa,” added the 38-year-old star who has 235 races under his belt.
Nilsen and Barry-Cotter’s Dubai Duty Free boat will be one of 13 boats competing in the fourth leg of the Series in Stresa, located on the stunning Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy from August 30 – September 1. The action then moves to another town on the lake, Arona, where the fifth leg will be contested from September 6-8.
“It is great to have a team of Pål and Tom’s calibre joining the Series,” said Sid Bensalah, General Secretary of the WPPA – organisers of the UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Series. “Pål has been in powerboat racing for over 20 years and his experience paired with Barry’s youth and raw talent should prove to be a phenomenal combination,” added Bensalah.
“I can’t wait to see them in action as they take on the likes of current Series leaders, Fazza and the rest of the field.”
