XCAT Series set to conquer another continent in 2015

2 September 2014, Dubai – The World Professional Powerboating Association (WPPA) will take another massive step towards achieving the goal of reaching six continents as XCAT action expands to another exciting new venue in August 2015. Australia will be the next continent to experience the thrill and excitement of the UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT Powerboat World Series with a race scheduled to take place on the Gold Coast, Queensland next year. That’s after an MOU was signed by Gold Coast City mayor Tom Tate and WPPA President H.E Dr Saif Al Ketbi. Also present at the signing in Dubai was vice president of the WPPA, Dr Khalid Al Zahed and Geoffrey Schuhkraft, Senior Advisor Middle East Relations / Gold Coast City.

Vice President of the WPPA Dr Khalid Al Zahed, WPPA President H.E Dr Saif Al Ketbi, the honourable mayor of the City of Gold Coast, Tom Tate, and Geoffrey Schuhkraft, Senior Advisor Middle East Relations / Gold Coast City, after signing the MOU in Dubai that will see an XCAT event hosted in Australia in 2015.

Earlier this year the WPPA conducted a technical inspection on Australia’s Gold Coast and, together with local authorities, identified that the event could potentially be staged at the Broadwater, with the event base located at Doug Jennings Park on the Spit. “This is a very exciting time for the WPPA. We have been looking to stage an XCAT event in Australia for some time and have had great support from the honourable mayor, Tom Tate, and all the local officials in the City of Gold Coast – which is a sister city of Dubai,” said Al Ketbi. “Known for their spectacular beaches, the two cities are similar in being young, modern cities with a similar vibrant feel – constantly looking for ways to develop both culturally and in the sporting arena, and hosting an XCAT event there in 2015 just seems like the perfect fit,” he added. Local authorities have suggested they would expect around 10,000 spectator boats for an XCAT race – with the Gold Coast already renowned for hosting top-class motorsport events.

“The City of Gold Coast acknowledges that this is an emerging and developing international event. The close and valued relationship between the City of Gold Coast and our Sister City Dubai and my personal high regard and respect of His Highness, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum provides us with a unique opportunity to work together, business and government, to develop a new model of engagement that would work to benefit all parties,” said Mayor Tate. “We are looking to grow it into one of the city’s signature events – and one of the highlights of the World Series,” he added.