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ABU DHABI / GULF TIME
Team Abu Dhabi is all set for another title battle as UIM F1H2O World Championship launches its new season on Tuba Lake in Kopiko, Indonesia on Saturday.
On Friday, the Emirati team began the journey of defending the championship title with the first round launched in a variety of qualifying phases. At the end of this round, the boats according to their speed records were lined up for the main race slated for Sunday.
Abu Dhabi team arrived to the race venue few days in advance to lay out the boats, to adapt to the new time zone and to be mentally prepared before the competitions.
After their championship victory last season Abu Dhabi team regained its favourite numbers again. Both Sean Torrente and Thani Al Qamzi, who get number 1 and number 2 respectively, aspire to a strong start of the opening round to defend the championship title.
Abu Dhabi boat No.1 had suffered an accident in the final round last season during the Sharjah tour. The technical crew worked hard to fix it in order to take it to the opening round of the race, along with the Abu Dhabi boat No. 2. The opening rounds always bring good news as Abu Dhabi team managed to win the first place in the last four seasons.
On Friday, a briefing was held informing the contestants about technical details, laws and regulations.
It is worth noting that the last season speed title was held by Abu Dhabi team. Given the race track on Lake Tuba, reaching very high speed in an open path is expected and will increase the challenge and competition.
Thani Al Qamzi, the star of the Abu Dhabi team, confirmed that the team boats are ready for the starting battle and the best speed time against the rest of the boats.
Al Qamzi welcomed the return of the “Victory Team†and applauded the increased number of Emirati boats participating in the competition.
“It is a sure thing that the opening rounds are not always an expected ease, but everyone is ready to present his best and all the teams have winning cards in terms of preparation and readiness,†Al Qamzi said
Despite the accident last season when the boats suffered an unexpected collision, Al Qamzi sounded upbeat and said: “we are ready for the competition and the Friday’s race for the best speed is crucial as it determines the starting positions of the main raceâ€.