DOHA: The Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) is preparing for one of its most eventful two-week period in the annual calendar.
Doha Bay plays host to this weekend’s Grand Prix of Middle East, round three of the 2014 UIM F1 H2O World Championship, and the Oryx Cup, the final round of the H1 Unlimited series, follows straight afterwards and takes place from November 20 to 22.
Staff at the QMSF are putting the finishing touches to the pit and spectator areas, media and official facilities and the racecourse adjacent to Doha Corniche in preparation for the on-water action, which gets underway with additional free practice for the UIM F1 H2O racers tomorrow.
“The policy of the QMSF has always been to target major events to attract as many fans as we can,” said H E Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al Thani, President of the QMSF.
“We have been building a fan base for the federation at home and have been successful in attracting local Qataris to start competing in various boating disciplines, which all bodes well for a strong future for marine sports in Qatar.”
Sheikh Hassan and the Spirit of Qatar Team did not take part in last weekend’s races at Key West in Florida and have now firmly placed the emphasis on making sure the QMSF hosts the best races ever on Doha Bay over the next two weeks.
The Qatar Team has dominated the UIM F1 H20 World Championship in recent seasons and Alex Carella takes a commanding lead into the Doha Bay race this weekend after winning the opening two rounds of the series in Qatar in March and China last month.
“Alex and Shaun (Torrente) have done a lot this year. They have been racing hard and delivering what they promised for the Qatar Team,” enthused Sheikh Hassan.
“I feel they have a very strong chance of claiming the top two places on the podium after the race on Saturday afternoon. We are also hoping to take delivery of a couple of new boats for Khalid Abdullah Al Kuwari and Mohammed Al Obaidly to use in the F-4S support races on Friday and Saturday.”
Meanwhile, the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) has also announced that the experienced Canadian racer Jean Theoret has replaced Kip Brown and will occupy the hot seat of 96 Spirit of Qatar at the Oryx Cup, the final round of the H1 Unlimited Championship, from November 20 to 22.
Brown is receiving medical treatment Stateside for a herniated disc in his back and six-time H1 race winner Theoret is an excellent replacement for the QMSF-backed team.
His six wins came between 2005 and 2009 and included a fine victory at the 2006 Detroit APBA Gold Cup.
“The new driver was the selection of both myself and Erick Ellstrom of Ellstrom Racing,” added Sheikh Hassan.
“We both agreed that Jean can deliver what is expected from him at the Oryx Cup.”
Tomorrow is the completion of the set-up on the Doha Corniche, with teams carrying out last minute tuning and modifications to the boats before official administration, scrutineering and additional free practice take place, on the day. THE PENINSULA
