New challenger for top spot in UIM XCAT World Series

by Karien Jonckheere on 9 Jun 2013 There may soon be a new team challenging for the top podium spot in the UIM XCAT World Series. That’s after the Nicolini Offshore team purchased a new boat from the Dubai-based Victory Team. Currently languishing in 12th place in the overall standings after boat trouble kept them out of the last heat in Dubai in March, Matteo Nicolini explained that in order to compete with the best, you have to be on a level playing field. 'In the last three years, the Victory Team have worked hard to develop this kind of boat and right now they build the best that you can find,' he said. 'I have been building boats for a long time. One of the most successful boats that I built was in 2006 and it’s still being raced by Mohammed Al Nasr, who is still reaching the podium after eight seasons. But for me it would cost too much to develop a new boat so I decided to buy a Victory Team boat to be competitive immediately,' added Nicolini. 'I have plenty of experience in powerboat racing and I know that with the right boat and the right driver, we can compete for the title. I always race to win,' he said. They have quite a way to climb up the overall series standings, but if all goes according to plan, the Nicolini Offshore team will use the remaining five races of the 2013 season to claw themselves back into contention. The main aim, however, is a long term one. 'I am sure that we will be very competitive with this new boat. We will use the rest of the season to set up the boat and the team to be ready for a great season in 2014. 'There are many strong teams. That is what makes the XCAT Series so interesting. 'And the XCAT boat is one of the nicest to drive because it’s not too big and not too powerful but it’s super-fast. I can compare it to a rally car,' added the man who has picked up numerous powerboating titles around the world with his brother Luca. The Nicolini brothers will have their first chance to put their new boat to the test when XCAT action resumes after the summer. Dubai-based Fazza still leads the series standings with 830 points from the three heats so far, with Mouawad 50 second on 671 and Gabon 33 third on 525. XCAT Racing website