Six in with an overall XCAT podium shot on ‘home ground’

8 December 2014, Dubai – He may hail from Italy, but powerboating stalwart Matteo Nicolini now calls Dubai his home – and considers the upcoming Emirates Airline XCAT Grand Prix his home race. Nicolini and his driver in the boat, Six, Tomaso Polli are relishing the prospect of once again taking to the water at DIMC for the final round of the 2014 UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Powerboating Series, starting this Thursday. “Dubai for me is my home race. I have lived in Dubai from many years and I have raced in Dubai since 1992,” explained Nicolini. “At DIMC, where we race, I have some of my best local friends so I consider DIMC like a family and I can add that it is for sure the best location and organisation for a race so I am always more than happy to race in Dubai,” he added. Currently lying in fourth place with 511 points after four rounds, the Six team have a shot at finishing the season with an overall top-three podium place. “It is our target to finish top three this season and we will do our best to get this result, even if I know that our competitors are very strong and will not be easy for us,” reckoned Nicolini. Asked about the race itself, Nicolini added: “Actually I never like to talk about the result before the race. Each race has its own history. “For sure my team is racing to win but at the same time I know that on before any win, there is a lot of work done by the team before the race. We have done some work but haven’t had the possibility to test yet so I will be happy if the changes that I’ve done on my boat will give me what I expect.” Nicolini explained that he approached the Victory Team to make some changes to his boat’s hull to improve its performance. “They did a really good job for us,” he said. XCAT action will get underway on Thursday, December 11 with Official Practice before the race for Emaar Pole Position takes place on the morning of Friday, December 12. The thrilling head-to-head drag race-type Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run will then kick off later that afternoon. The main event of the weekend, the Emirates Airline XCAT GP, will take place on the afternoon of Saturday, December 13. Entrance for the public areas is free of charge and, as always, there will be plenty on offer to keep the crowds entertained with exciting activities both on and off the water in between racing, a kids’ fun zone, heritage village and other attractions. Also, for the first time, the Ripe Food and Craft Market will be involved with the event, giving visitors to the XCAT village area the opportunity to browse and buy a variety of items ranging from the best locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables to cheeses, honey, nuts, spices and oils as well as art, crafts and photography, household items, jewellery and beauty products.