SPIRIT OF NORWAY DECLARED POLE CHAMPIONS DURING QATAR GRAND PRIX- VICTORY TEAM ON DOUBLE VISIT TO PODIUM

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The city of Doha yesterday (Thursday 10^th of October) witnessed Norway ’s Bjorn Gjelsten and Britain ’s Steve Curtis in their Lamborghini powered catamaran -Spirit of Norway- declared 2002 UIM Class One World Offshore Pole Position Champions-one week ahead of the final heat of the series. In second place, a mere eight tenths of a second of the blistering pace set, was Saeed H. Al-Tayer and Mohammed Al Marri in Victory 1. Making it a double blue podium visit were Ali Nasser and Ali Al Qama in Victory 7.

The newly declared champions -Gjelsten and Curtis- waited until the final moments of the race, opting to play a tactical game that saw them back out and on to clearer waters and ultimately, the fastest time of the afternoon. The pairing have declared their determination to make a steal on all the titles this year, having also secured the European Championship, but will not take any unnecessary chances. “We are here to win and we would like to get a good position in the race tomorrow. However, it is important that we don’t over rev the engines or take any risks out there tomorrow (today).” said throttleman, Steve Curtis. “Though the Middle East Championship is not our focus at the moment, we are certainly aiming to push like crazy; especially if it comes down to the final round in Dubai next week.”

Taking second place on the smooth waters, Saeed H. Al-Tayer and Mohammed Al Marri in Victory 1 proved their determination to answer their teammates initial lead in the Pole Position with their fastest run of 1 minute and 47.26 seconds, also in the final moments. With the boats run of ill luck recently the waiting crews on tender hooks when they witnessed the big blue boat stranded on the way out to its second run. However, back in the pits the crew were thankful to discover the fault was a the common and easily rectified vapor lock in the fuel line that was soon sorted and the Dubai Duo soon set off in pursuit of their fastest time run.

Running in with a 4^th place was the ever-determined team from Australia with Bill Barry-Cotter and Peter McGrath. They now stand in 4^th place in the Pole position standings ahead of Highlander who placed 7^th in yesterdays pole. Despite struggling with propeller selection due to a delay for their replacement that was broken in Plymouth , the pairing of Kristain Tzanov and Giovanni Carpitella had to make do. “We would have liked to have run with a slightly different propeller choice for today’s (yesterdays) race, but unfortunately we had to make do with the second choice which to be honest was less then ideal.” But still the yellow boat Damas came in with an impressive 6 place today that stands them in 7^th place in the pole championship. Glitch free and running fast was the red boat Jotun Ugland who took home 5^th place yesterday that puts them in 6^th place in the pole standings and ready for the final battle in one weeks time. ECS placed in 8^th place ahead of Binautica, in the standings however the roles are reversed with Binautica one point ahead of them in equal place with Roscioli Hotels who finished with the 10^th fastest lap yesterday. Lady luck finally gave GFN Gibellato’s the push yesterday with a blown engine in the pre-pole practice. Time restraints saw them unable to change to their spare engine on time but they are sure to be back on form and in today’s line up.

Despite the formidable battle that is set to take place today, first to congratulate Spirit of Norway on their Pole Position title win yesterday was Ali Nasser- both long time friend and rival to the pairing for the yet to be decided 2002 World Offshore title. “I would like to congratulate Bjorn and Steve on their title; they have had a great season, but we aim to keep the World Championship cup in the Victory Team camp.” Said a determined Nasser . Aims for tomorrow for the Dubai Duo is, uniquely, for Spirit of Norway to drive hard and fast to the finish line. “We actually want them to push the boat to the limits.” commented Nasser . “If they play it safe then there is less likelihood that he will encounter any difficulties- because lets face it, its going to be pretty difficult to keep them off the podium otherwise.”

With so much at stake for today’s competitors, yesterdays pole position will not only determine the order of line up at 3:30 pm (2:30 Dubai time), but may also dictate who will take home the chequered flag at the end of the 99.4 nautical mile course.