Shaun Torrente and Faleh Al Mansoori in Abu Dhabi 4 led for much of the qualifying session before Al Zaffain and Bin Hendi, who had made a slow start after missing official practice, came through with the fastest time by just 0.252 secs. Sharjah Team’s Konstantin Ustinov and Dmitry Vandyshev were third quickest in near perfect conditions ahead of Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori in Abu Dhabi 5, and Kuwait’s Bader al Dousari and Abdullatif Al Omani in Raheeb17.

The event is being staged as part of the Khor Fakkan Marine Festival by Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, who had earlier announced a reduced schedule, with a single race taking place tomorrow afternoon. With Team Abu Dhabi battling on two fronts this weekend, Torrente will now be replaced in Khor Fakkan by Emirati driver Mohammed Al Matlae, with Al Mansoori switching to throttleman in Abu Dhabi 4.

This will allow three-time champion Torrente to switch to free practice for the Grand Prix of Sharjah, Sunday’s final round of the F1H2O world championship on Khalid Lagoon. The 2018, 2019 and 2022 F1H2O champion wants to round off a tough season with a Grand Prix win in Sharjah where he clinched each of his three world titles, while Team Abu Dhabi still have a slim mathematical chance of retaining the team crown. Eager to add to their run of powerboat victories with an opening win in the new Class 3 championship, meanwhile, the team spent the summer making major modifications to Abu Dhabi 5 to improve its performance.

No changes were made to Abu Dhabi 4 because none were felt necessary, and there was little between the two boats for most of today’s official Class 3 practice session.

Both took turns in setting the pace, before Torrente and Al Mansoori used their experience to set the fastest time from their team-mates in Abu Dhabi 5.

At the beginning of the visit, Al Hosani welcomed the president of the IJSBA, stressing the pride of the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club in the strong relations that it brings with organisations and clubs specialised in water sports in all countries of the world.

The President of IJSBA in Europe Peter Desept expressed his great happiness at the warm reception, expressing his strong desire to strengthen cooperation between the two sides during the coming period, in light of the great successes achieved by the marine Club at all levels.

Then the president of the IJSBA was briefed on the club’s facilities and marine equipment, and he also watched a documentary presentation on the events and competitions organised by the club during the last period.

The two parties also agreed to organise a course for national referees for water bikes, under the supervision of the IJSBA organisation, with the aim of developing and qualifying them to obtain the international certificate, and to involve one of the referees from the Sharjah International Marine Club in arbitration during the World Championships in US.

At the end of the visit, a lunch was held in honour of the President of IJSBA in Europe, and memorial shields were exchanged between the two parties.

Established in 1997, the United Arab Emirates Marine Sports Federation is the point of contact with all international marine sports federations, as well as the regional and Gulf Federations for coordination on all matters related to marine sports activities.

Amongst the many roles of the Federation is to supervise all international and global events that are held within the territory of the State as well as issuing international licenses for UAE competitors to enable them to participate in the overseas events.

The Federation is responsible for monitoring all clubs operating in the marine activity inside the state including the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, Dubai International Marine Sports Club, Fujairah International Marine Sports Club, and the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, overseeing and supervising their powerboat races and coordinating amongst the clubs at all levels.

Another of their roles is to follow up on all sports activities held at those clubs and to direct them in line with the future vision of the United Arab Emirates, which reflects the image required by the General Authority of Youth & Sports Welfare for the State.

The Federation is also the only body that can communicate with all governmental and non-governmental agencies for being federal umbrella that sponsors the state’s marine sports activity.

H.H Sheikh Mohamed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the Chairman of the UAE Marine Sports Federation said

We are going to unite the marine clubs and focus again on international racing taking place in the Middle East. We will make this region the strongest possible for powerboat racing.