Abu Dhabi prepares for Round Three

Dubai   The Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) is getting spruced up to stage the third round of the 2012 UIM X-Cat World Series to be held in the capital later this week (February 8-9).   Under the direct supervision of Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman, ADIMSC, race organizers toured the club premises and ensured that everything is in a state of readiness to stage this third heat of the X-Cat Series.   “There is so much of a willingness to do everything possible to ensure the X-Cat heat is a real success later this week,” noted Sid Bensalah from the UIM XCAT World Series Promoter.   The third heat of the X-Cat Series that was to be held last weekend at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) had to be postponed for the first week of April due to rough seas and gusty winds last Saturday. And with the annual UIM Awards Ceremony scheduled to be held in Monaco this weekend, race organizers voted in favour of conducting the Abu Dhabi race a couple of days early.   Meanwhile, a delegation from the race committee will be visiting Fujairah on Monday to ascertain the state of preparedness of the Northern Emirate in staging such a race for the first time at the Fujairah International Marine Sports Club (FIMSC) under the leadership of Ahmed Ibrahim.   “There are so many small things that need to be taken care with safety of paramount importance before such a prestigious race,” added Bensalah.   After the first two rounds of racing held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi last month, the Qatar Team is at the top of the overall standings with 600 points, followed by the Swiss-American boat Mouawed with 450 points and Extreme Marine with 422 points. Fazza, winners of the opening round, are in fourth with 417 points and Spirit of Abu Dhabi in fifth position with 191 points.   The mandatory practice session will be held from at 2 pm on Wednesday (February 8) followed by next day’s Pole Position run (10 to 11.30 am) and the race at 3.30 pm.   The latest updates can be obtained at www.xcatracing.com<http://xcatracing.wpengine.com> or follow the action on Twitter at XCATracing.