DOHA: Gusting desert winds and choppy seas ruined any chance of competitive action in the second UIM Nations Cup on Doha Bay yesterday.
The three-day competition looked set for a thrilling finale after a dramatic series of Match Races on Tuesday had seen Team Italy sneak into a seven-point lead over Team Russia heading into the two sprint races.
But series promoters H20 Racing and the host Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) were left with no alternative other than to delay the sprint races and, when Team Russia and Team Belarus, confirmed that they were able to compete today, the timetable was amended.
UIM Nations Cup teams from Italy, Russia, Belarus, Malaysia, Lebanon and Qatar will now go head-to-head this morning before the first extra free practice session of the new season of UIM F1 H20 World Championship racing takes centre stage.
“It was the only decision that our organising teams could make under the unfortunate circumstances,” said Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al Thani, president of the QMSF.
“The weather was inclement and safety is and always will be the top priority for all concerned.”
Gusting winds up to 30mph had also forced Wednesday morning’s free practice session to be cancelled on safety grounds.
Team Italy had drawn first blood in Tuesday’s Match Race with Stefano Paoletti winning through in the final against Team Russia’s Kostantin Ustinov. His Italian colleague Marco Gambi was beaten into third position by Roman Yandyshev of Team Belarus.
The outcome gave the Italians 43 points and a seven-point advantage over the Russians heading into the two Sprint races. Paoletti beat Team Qatar’s Khalid Abdullah Al Kuwari in his first heat and then Vandyshev in his semi-final.
Team Qatar now holds fourth position and needs to make up 15 points in the two sprint races today.
Strong winds and choppy seas had forced the earlier abandonment of official qualifying after 15 minutes on Tuesday as well. Malaysia’s Alffian Bin Kadri and Lebanon’s Lebos Chaguri both rolled at the same corner during the day’s exciting action.
The Qatar Team starts the defence of their UIM Teams’ Championship and Alex Carella starts his campaign for a fourth successive world drivers’ title on Thursday alongside team mate Shaun Toirrente.
The team proudly wheeled out the boats with the new colour scheme at the Doha Corniche on Wednesday after a recent successful one-day test in Qatar.
Both Carella and Torrente will be able to take to the water in an extra free practice session this afternoon from 15.00hrs before the meat of the action takes centre stage on Friday and Saturday.
The Peninsula
