| After five rounds of this year’s WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Championship, the Qatar 96 duo trail the crew of Dubai-based Victory 77 by 18 points heading into the final three races of the season. With 20 points for a win, Sheikh Hassan knows the task he faces if he is to close the gap on the leaders. “The goal is to be ahead of Victory 77,” said Sheikh Hassan. “We need to set up the boat up on Thursday and Friday to put us in a position to do exactly that and then get a good spot in Friday’s Edox Pole Position and make a good start to the race and avoid Victory 77. Winning is the target and would be a dream here in Doha, but a podium is crucial.” Whilst their main focus is Victory 77, they must also be wary of Spirit of Norway, just six points behind them and winners last time out in Egypt. “We know Spirit will be a major force in the race but this could work to our advantage,” says Sheikh Hassan. “If we can get Spirit ahead of Victory 77 and we have the lead, this would |
be ideal with two races still to come.” Al-Thani and Nicolini will also be looking to team mates, Abdullah Al-Sulaiti and Luca Nicolini in Qatar 95, to play a crucial supporting role. Al-Sulaiti and Nicolini, who have been developing the Mercury V8 engines for the team this season, have hit form at the right time and the boat has become increasingly competitive, and is now in fifth position in the championship and capable of challenging the front runners. |
