Class 1- Qatar one-two in qualifying

by Class 1 news on 6 Dec 2008 Qatar 96's Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis will start tomorrow's Mina Seyahi Grand Prix, the penultimate race of the season, from Pole Position after setting the fastest time in today's qualifying session, with team-mates Abdullah Al-Sulaiti and Matteo Nicolini second quickest ahead of Victory 1's Mohammed Al Marri and Nadir Bin Hendi.

Today's win for Sheikh Hassan and Curtis, their third of the season, was a must if they were to reduce the 11-point deficit to Victory 1 and stay in the fight for the Edox Pole Position Championship. And with Qatar 95 producing their best qualifying performance of the season to take second spot, the lead is now down to just three points, with Victory 1 and Qatar 96 going head-to-head in the final round next weekend for the title. 'This was an excellent result for the team and our target now is to do the same in tomorrow's race,' said Sheikh Hassan. 'We have shown here, and in Egypt, that we are very strong in rough seas. Our only concern was that conditions might deteriorate, so it was important to make our first run count.'

With the threat of bad weather closing-in during the 75 minute session, the top five oufits went out early. The opening exchanges saw Victory 1 set the early pace, posting a time of 2m 51,90s, with Qatar 95 and Victory 7 both falling short. Qatar 96 then produced a stunning opening gambit - a repeat of their opening qualifying lap in Egypt - going six seconds quicker in a time of 2m 45,09s to secure the pole, with Jotun following them out onto the water to go third quickest in 2m 52,07.

Qatar 95's second run saw them improve and move into second place, and then go even quicker on their next two runs, producing their best time of the afternoon, 2m 48,43s on their fourth and final lap. ' A Qatar one-two in Dubai - it doesn't get much better than that. ' said Al-Sulaiti. 'Matteo was pushing very hard and in the conditions it was quite a challenge. But we took some risks and they paid off.'

Victory 1 also improved on their opening time, but failed to match either of the Qatar boats to qualify in third place, with Victory 7 shaving three seconds off their time on their third run to jump ahead of Jotun, with Negotiator completing the top six.

Edox Pole Position - results
1. Qatar 96 - H Al-Thani (QAT) / S Curtis (GB) - 02.45,09
2. Qatar 95 - A Al-Sulaiti (QAT) / M Nicolini (ITA) - 02.48,43
3. Victory 1 - M Al Marri (UAE) / N Bin Hendi (UAE) - 02.51,48
4. Victory 7 - A Al Mehairbi (UAE) / JM Sanchez (FR) - 02.51,54
5. Jotun 90 - IB Aarbakke (NOR) / J Tandberg (NOR) - 02.51,95
6. Negotiator 50 - C Parsonage (GB) / W Moore (US) - 02.56,40
7. Foresti & Suardi 8 - K Selmer (NOR) / G Montavoci (ITA) - 02.56,75
8. SeveneleveN 18 - G Manuzzi (ITA) / N Giorgi (ITA) - 02.58,73
9. Spirit of Spain 88 - S Carrasco (ESP) / G Carpitella (ITA) - 03.00,03
10. Maritimo 11 - T Barry-Cotter (AUS) / PV Nilsen (NOR) - 03.12,59
11. Roscioli Hotels Roma 60 - M A Ahmed (ESP) / A Al Suwaidi (UAE) - 03.43,29

Edox Pole Position Championship - after round 7 of 8
1. Victory 1 - 102pts
2. Qatar 96 - 99pts
3. Jotun 90 - 70pts
4. Qatar 95 - 59pts
5. Victory 7 - 45pts
6. Foresti & Suardi 8 - 24pts
7. SeveneleveN 18 - 20pts
8. Negotiator 50 - 17pts
9 Spirit of Spain 88 - 7pts
10= Qatar 9 - 5pts
10=White 4 - 5pts
12. Roscioli Hotels Roma 60 - 3pts

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