Spirit Of Norway Take The Lead With British Grand Prix Win

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Leading from start to finish in their Lamborghini-powered boat, new championship leaders, Norwegian Bjorn Gjelsten and Britain ’s Steve Curtis in Spirit of Norway, destroyed a high-class field to claim a win ahead of Dubai ’s Ali Nasser and Ali Al Qama in Victory 7. Credited with third, although out of the gates and off to a slow start were determined defending World Champions Saeed H. Al-Tayer and Mohammed Al Marri in Victory 1. A formidable display of high speed traffic-dodging, fast paced passing saw them go from 5^th place at the beginning of the race through to a well deserved 3^rd place on the podium.

Even more ecstatic then his podium placing was Ali with the crowd turn out that Plymouth afforded. “I almost wish that I wasn’t a competitor this weekend, but rather a spectator.” said Ali Nasser. “The view of the course was exceptional and the atmosphere with the crowds this weekend was truly wonderful. We have really enjoyed our selves in Plymouth.”

Fully appreciative of the run for their money that the blue boats gave them, a jubilant Steve Curtis commented before a home crowd. “We had a great run out there today. At times it was very close as Ali Nasser and Ali Al Qama proved better propped then us towards the end of the race so the pressure was definitely on to keep them behind us.” Indeed, times show that it was Victory 7 who were the fastest boat on the circuit today, clocking the quickest speed of 127 miles per hour in lap 9.

Although this weekend saw a Victory double on the podium, the Dubai stars will not be content to watch as their accumulation of points dwindles to the advantage of the Anglo/Norwegian pairing, and you can expect the Arabian gentlemen will be looking to annihilate the competition during the next heat.

Showing better luck today after they were forced to change an engine after Saturday’s pole position, Riviera came back strong for yesterday’s race with a 4^th race finish and a 4^th place in the overall championship.

For the rest of the chasing pack there were mixed results, some good, others disastrously bad.

Sunday’s show of bravado by the Italian team, Highlander, saw their outstanding second place finish during the pole position bluffed as technical problems saw them trailing in last place and limping back to the pits early with an 8^th place finish in the overall championship points for yesterdays race.

Pre-race Kristian Tzanov in Damas also proved pessimistic for the race, commenting, “We are still experiencing problems with the boat this morning and to be honest we are just hoping to finish the race today; albeit at a slower pace if necessary.” A comment that saw him and partner Giovanni Carpitella off to a strong start until the Italian’s predictions of ill fate proved founded with an early retirement and equal 9^th place in the championship chase. 

Jotun looked to have finally broken their run of bad luck with a display of fast speeds that had them during the early start of the course ahead of Victory 1 but soon saw problems and an early retirement and into last place in the championship. Although a long hard climb in store for the team if they wish to collect enough points to put them in for a championship chance, however, the good-natured Aussie team are optimistic that their luck will change.

A tricky buoy coming into the Hoe (Bay) leg of the course also saw two disqualifications and a few back-tracks amongst the eleven boats. Binautica and Roscioli Hotels found them selves out of points due to this error.

Today’s result will stand Bjorn Gjelsten and Britain's Steve Curtis in Spirit of Norway in first place in the chase for the championship title, a mere 2 points ahead of Victory Team’s Ali Nasser and Ali Al Qama. Victory 7.  Lying not far behind in third are defending champions Saeed H. Al-Tayer and Mohammed AL Marri in Victory 1 who are expected to put up a fight in August for first place.

A one-month lull in proceedings will offer teams little rest and respite before heat 4 held in the Norwegian capital of Oslo will have the big boats battling it out again. Crews are expected to put the boats and their engines through rigorous testing prior to the race on 11^th of August. Problems that have seen some boats out of competitive running will hopefully be ironed out for the mid way point of the championship race series.