X-Cat race postponed due to bad weather

Dubai Race organizers announced the postponement of the third round of the 2012 UIM X-Cat World Series citing bad weather at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) yesterday. The race did start with 13 of the 14 boats lining up off the Mina Seyahi waters on Saturday afternoon. However, with winds circling between 12 to 15 knots racing became a bit tricky with the Extreme Marine boat of Rashid Khalifa Al Marri and Salem Fadhel Al Hameli flipping over and landing upside down forcing the race to be stopped the first time. After the boats started again, the Sky Dive Dubai boat of Eisa Al Ali and Sultan Al Dhaheri stopped bang in the middle of the course, reportedly due to a blown engine forcing the red flag for a second time. During the morning Pole Position run, the Qatar Team boat of Mohammed Al Nasser and Hamad Jasim Mohammed had also flipped and landed with both pilot and throttleman unhurt. Considering all this and keeping the safety of the crew in mind, the race organizers led by Race Director Mohammed Hareb decided to postpone the race. The race will now be held on April 6-7th, a week before the final round in Fujairah (April 12-13). After 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 next round of the 2012 Series will be held in Abu Dhabi on February 8-9.