Abu Dhabi set for X-Cat heat today and tomorrow

ABU DHABI The third heat of the 2012 X-CAT World Series will be held today and tomorrow at the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC). The normal field of 14 boats has already confirmed entry for this heat following the postponement of the last round that was scheduled to be held in Dubai last weekend. Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman, ADIMSC has directed the club authorities to do everything in their capacity to ensure the successful staging of the X-Cat race. The third heat of this popular series has been pre-poned by a day to ensure the racing fraternity travels for the Annual UIM Awards to be held in Monaco later this week. “We are pleased with the support of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club for staging such an important race on our calendar,” observed Mohammad Hareb, In-Charge of powerboat racing. “Hopefully, we have much better weather conditions in the next two days and that will see a lot of action on the water,” Hareb added. 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 weekend. After the first two rounds of racing held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in January, 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 the UAE’s “Extreme Marine” with 422 points. Fazza, winners of the opening round in Dubai, are in fourth overall with 417 points and Spirit of Abu Dhabi in fifth position with 191 points. On Wednesday, the mandatory practice session will be held from 2 pm followed by the Pole Position run between 10-11.30 am and the race at 3.30 pm on Thursday. Meanwhile, a high-level delegation from the UIM and race organizers has given the Fujairah International Marine Sports Club the green signal to host the fifth and final round of the 2012 UIM X-Cat World Series in mid-April. “Everything is in order and I am confident Fujairah will do a fantastic job in hosting such a prestigious event,” said Hareb after touring the club with other members of the UIM organizing committee. Hareb and the rest of the visiting delegates were welcomed by Ahmad Ebrahim from FIMSC, who thanked them for the privilege of hosting an international powerboat event after a gap of ten years. “It is always the aim of the UAE leadership to ensure we work together as one unit so that the sport is the beneficiary,” Hareb said. “The rise and success of X-Cat racing has been due to the concerted efforts and the close working relationship of all those involved from the UAE,” he added. The latest updates can be obtained at www.xcatracing.com <http://www.xcatracing.com/> or follow the action on Twitter at XCATracing.