Dubai Grand Prix - Heat 8
Dubai , United Arab Emirates - 17 October

Victory Team
News 2002

HOME FAVORITES LOOKING FOR VICTORY TITLE  

The blue liveried catamarans of Dubai ’s Victory Team and their stable of stars will be in a final and desperate fight this weekend in order to keep the World Offshore Championship flag flying the UAE colours.

Still in the running for the top spot, for once first place will not be enough and Ali Nasser and Ali Al Qama are relying on contenders for the title- Spirit of Norway- to finish with a 7^th place. However, with Spirit of Norway’s run of podium placings up to date, the pairing of Steve Curtis and Bjorn Gjelsten may well see mechanical failure before they are likely to fall that far behind the pack.

Despite the 15 points that are separating last years runners up in the championship, Nasser and Al Qama are still optimistic. “Any thing can happen. This is our experience from the past and who knows what can happen in offshore. Spirit of Norway may suffer a breakdown. Although we would not wish this on any team, this is the championship that we are fighting for.” Pre-race preparations for the team has seen the two Ali’s out on the course, looking for the best conditions for today’s pole position and for Friday’s race in order that they stand the best possible chance to take home the sports most prestigious prize- the UIM Class One World Offshore Championship trophy.

Stable mates and current World Champions, Saeed H. Al-Tayer and Mohammed Al Marri in Victory 1 may not be gunning for a first place in the championship -a mathematical impossibility at this point- but they will certainly be looking to end the season in the same manner that they left off last year; first, fast and full of fight. Last years 2001 grand finale proves that, despite a season of break downs and ill luck, they are most certainly what champions are made of and they intend to go out in style. Although their battle this year has proven to be with the Australian team Riviera , overall the war is right alongside their team mates to keep the Championship trophy in the Victory Team corner for its fourth consecutive year and its seventh overall. “We are really wishing our teammates all the luck in the world out there on Friday; the title trophy would certainly be missed in our trophy room.” said Al-Tayer. Commenting on their performance for the upcoming race, Al-Tayer added. “We would like to repeat Doha , this time in a much better position. I feel that the boat has come together well in the last race and the boats performance is actually how I wished it was earlier in the season.” adding “We are mustering a lot of speed out of the corners and we are expecting that this will stand us in good stead for the extra power that the diesel boat has over us.”

What ever the outcome of the race result, these shining stars of offshore are sure to provide a treat for fans and followers come race day on their home waters of the Arabian Gulf.