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UIM XCAT – New Star Racing Team to debut new hull

John Moore on 11th November 2016

Thirteen boats, including a brand-new Russian entry along with a custom-built hull from defending world champions Victory Team will start the final round of the 2016 UIM XCAT World Series in Abu Dhabi next week (November 17 – 18) according to xcatracing.com.

To be held off the breakwater and cornice of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC), the Russian entry for this final round will be led by Mikhail Kitashev and Dmitry Vandyshev in their brand-new New Star Racing Team hull that has been built by the Victory Team at their base in Jebel Ali.

Kitashev told XCAT Racing;

For us this has been a brand-new experience. We took part in the Lugano Grand Prix and the success of coming 7th in our very first race made us take very serious notice of this championship. Now with a brand-new boat that has the mark of a world champion builder like Victory Team, we want to push and see where we stand.

Dubai’s Victory Team of Nadir Bin Hendi and Arif Al Zaffain will be running their brand-new Generation 2 boat which has been adapted for the ROS Mercury four stroke engines at the Victory Team workshop in Jebel Ali.

With three rounds gone, Bin Hendi and Al Zaffain have been dominant, winning in Fujairah, Dubai and Lugano.

Victory Team Manager Ragesh Elayadeth commented;

Victory Team have been the trend-setters in all forms of powerboat racing. Over the years, we have proved that we have the best, including a breed of World Champions coupled with our energy to be at the top of our game. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is much like a home race for our experienced crew of Nadir and Arif, and I am confident they will bring home full points.

0001-14 teams are in the fight to decide who will be the runners-up to the ‘boys in blue’, Gold Coast Australia’s Tom Barry-Cotter and Ross Willaton, Swecat Racing’s Mikael Bengtsson and Erik Stark, Dubai 33 with Salem Al Adidi and Eisa Al Ali and the Abu Dhabi Team 5 duo of Majed Al Mansoori and Rashed Al Tayer.

New Star racing in Lugano – Photo: Raffaello Bastiani

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