Qatar turn the tables on Fazza in thrilling Speed Cat Run

- Al Nasr and Al Na’amah bounce back to take top podium spot -

22 March 2013, Dubai – The Qatar Team pair of Mohamed Al Nasr and Ali Al Na’amah will be hoping their lightning-quick performance in today’s Speed Cat Run is a sign of things to come when they return to the water for tomorrow’s third heat of the 2013 UIM XCAT World Series.

The Qatari duo managed to defeat two-time Speed Cat Run champions Fazza in the final to top the podium. It was particularly pleasing win for the pair considering they lost out to the same rivals in the final of the last Speed Cat Run in Dubai in January. “Now all the boats are strong – Fazza, Spirit of Dubai, Gabon – they’re all strong. But I think we have a good set-up – the boat situation is very nice and we managed to win,” said Al Nasr after the final. The Qatar Team, had in fact lost out to Fazza ‘s Mohammed Al Marri and Arif Al Zaffain by quite a margin in a previous run this afternoon but a successful repechage saw them working themselves back in to contention for the spoils – with Al Nasr and Al Na’amah seizing their second chance and producing a much better start which ultimately led to the win. “The first time it went a bit wrong, but the second time the boat went very nicely at the start and we came first. Tomorrow I am hoping for flatter water. My boat is happy with flat. But I think it might be rough. We will see tomorrow,” added Al Nasr. Fazza, meanwhile, had looked dominant throughout yesterday’s progression to the final, defeating Consul Brokers and series second-placers Mouawad on the way, but a slower start for the final showdown saw them missing out. The Swedish Westerlund Racing team of Joakim Kumlin and Daniel Svenson finished in third spot after losing out to the Qatar Team in the semi-final run. Action continues tomorrow with 12 boats lining up for the main race at the Dubai International Marine Club, starting at 3.30pm.