UIM XCAT World Championship 2021 Fujairah & Dubai

You will never know the feeling of a driver when winning a race. The helmet hides feelings that cannot be understood. – Ayrton Senna

The CATS are back! Prepare your engines for the pinnacle of powerboat racing, the UIM XCAT World Championship. From the 30th of November until the 4th of December and the 9th until the 11th of December, the cream of the crop of the powerboating world will be locking horns with each other on the majestic shores of the ‘Mountain Emirate’, Fujairah (UAE); and the ‘City of Gold’, Dubai (UAE) subsequently.

Generally, power boats consist of a high power-to-weight ratio and a hull design that allows for easy planing, allowing for higher speeds and improved handling. Also, the shape of power boats is usually streamlined, minimizing air resistance and drag, further increasing speeds.

Powered by 2 Mercury Racing 400ROS outboard engines producing a whopping 400hp each and with speeds topping 200km/h, these racing catamarans are the finest expression of powerboat racing at an international level.
Made up of a multitude of participating nations, such as the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Russia, Australia, and Italy; teams such as Dubai Police, backed by its namesake, Team Abu Dhabi hungry for yet more powerboating success, the Italian armada with three teams competing, and the always hard-driving Aussies, such as 222 Offshore, the event series is sure to make some waves and set to be one of the most hair-raising events in Offshore powerboat racing.

Today, December 2nd, we had another day full of emotions at Fujairah International Marine Club for Race 2 of the 2021 XCAT World Championship.

Just after the start, the race was red-flagged, so the competition was shortened to 15 laps instead of 16. The battle for the leadership was fierce and the top four boats kept fighting for the whole race, with a spectacular head-to-head battle between boat no. 5 (Abu-Dhabi Team) and boat no. 6 driven by Tomaso Polli and Matteo Nicolini.

At the finish line, the team of Shaun Torrente and Faleh Al Mansoori (Abu Dhabi Team, boat no. 4) had a double privilege: winning the race and getting the chequered flag waved by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Sharqi himself. What a blast!

Finishing 2nd, the Dubai Police Team with their boat no.3 preceded the Abu-Dhabi Team with boat no.5. However, an incorrect procedure during the long lap resulted in a 30 seconds penalty for boat no.5 and therefore the third step of the podium went to the next classified boat: no.6 driven by Polli/Nicolini. After taking into account the penalty, the final classification was:

1st) Abu Dhabi 4
2nd) Dubai Police
3rd) The Six
4th) Abu Dhabi 5.

After the celebration of the podium, a little party was organized to surprise the Managing Director of Fujairah International Marine Club, Mister Major Ahmed, who celebrated his birthday in the VIP Area where he cut the cake for many guests.

Another great day of XCAT action came to a conclusion, and we truly look forward to experiencing another adrenaline fuelled day tomorrow, with the long awaited Fujairah Speed CAT Challenge.

The sun was shining yesterday December 5th at the International Marine Club, where a beautiful day welcomed the third and last race of the Fujairah Grand Prix.

Following their success in the Fujairah Trophy Speed CAT Run on Friday, the Dubai Police confirmed their competitiveness winning Race 3 of the GP event. With this success, the boat number 3 collected three podiums in three races, what a Grand Prix for them!

The expectations were high for “the Six” since they recorded their third Pole Position during the session this morning, however they arrived at the race’s finish line in second position, bringing joy and honor to boat n.6. After challenging the top runners at every race, the Abu Dhabi Team with boat n.5 obtained the third position on the podium in this closing event in Fujairah.

Unfortunately, the competition didn’t go well for a couple of teams: due to technical issues, the Swecat Racing (boat n.2) couldn’t get their boat in the water for the start of the race; while the 222 Offshore (boat n.10) had to leave the race at lap 10 due to engine problems.

Following the sporting battle in the water, the prize giving ceremony was highlighted by the presence on the stage of His Highness Mohammed Bin Hamad al Sharqui, the crown prince of the Emirate Fujairah and Sheikh Saif Bin Hamad al Sharqui, Chairman of FIMC, who made this event even more extraordinary.

In conclusion, the first round of the 2021 XCAT World Championship wrapped up with satisfaction: the fascinating atmosphere of the Fujairah Grand Prix brought excitement and entertainment to the attending audience and fans.

2021 UIM XCAT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DUBAI

The chequered flag went down for one last time at the UIM XCAT World Championship in Dubai for the Dubai Grand Prix.

Following some very exciting back-to-back races the curtain comes down for the last time for the 2021 season.

Team Abu Dhabi 5 (boat n. 5) with Rashed Al Tayer (UAE) and Majed Al-Mansoori (UAE) took the first spot on the podium, having put the throttle to the max throughout the entire race.

Dubai Police (boat n. 3) helmed by Arif Al Zaffain (UAE) and Nadir Bin Hendi (UAE) once more made plain why they are often considered two of the most venerable drivers in powerboat racing; having been placed in last position in Pole Position yet taking the second spot on the podium.

Team Abu Dhabi 4 (boat n. 4) with Shaun Torrente (USA) and Faleh Al-Mansoori (UAE) took third place, marking a rather successful season for Team Abu Dhabi as a whole.

Shaun Torrente of Team Abu Dhabi 4 commented, “It was difficult – we had a good start and fought hard, and we did our best to hold off Dubai Police. Overall, we should be in third place in the championship – which was the goal coming in, and Team Abu Dhabi 5 won today making it a great day for us”.

Nadir Bin Hendi of Dubai Police stated, “We are happy to be second and we are world champions now. We started last but we fought until the end, and in the end, we came second and won the world championship”

n a nutshell, Dubai Police are the 2021 UIM XCAT Champions, whilst Abu Dhabi 5 come second, and last but definitely not least, Abu Dhabi 4 take third in the overall championship standing.

Next up, rendezvous in 2022 because the Cats will be back!

Now the XCAT Circus is ready to move to the next and final round in Dubai, where we will find out who will be the new XCAT World Champion of this season!
Text Credits: ICARUS Sports
Photo Credits: UIM XCAT World Championship 2021