ABU DHABI // The Dubai pair of Arif Saif Al Zafeen and Nadir bin Hendi upstaged Abu Dhabi's Rashed al Tayer in his home grand prix for the second day in succession at the course off Lulu Island yesterday.
Al Tayer, the driver of the Team Abu Dhabi boat with John Tomlinson as throttleman, could only manage fourth place in the second of two races which kicked off the four-venue calender season. But al Zafeen and bin Hendi showed they are determined to hang onto their world crown with another dominant performance.
"It was pleasing to get two finishes under our belts but a podium would have been nice on our home event," al Tayer said.
Al Tayer and Tomlinson lined up in fourth place at the start of the race behind Victory 3, Spirit of Qatar 96 and the number 10 boat of Luca Fendi Racing. No sooner had the race started, it was red flagged by officials and boats reassembled for the restart of a 12-lap race.
Spirit of Qatar 96 managed to beat Victory 3 to the all-important first turns and built up a lead of just under four seconds at the end of lap one. Fendi Racing held third and Team Abu Dhabi slotted into fifth behind Spirit of Qatar 95. Relekta had been repaired following Thursday's accident and headed Welmax 90 in eighth place.
Al Tayer and Tomlinson maintained fifth place through two laps, where they joined Ali al Neama and Matteo Nicolini from Spirit of Qatar 95 on a long lap. Poliform and Parsonage Racing also used the tour for their long lap strategy.
Al Tayer ran a long lap on the third tour as well and slipped 3 seconds behind Spirit of Qatar 95, but the Abu Dhabi team were now able to concentrate on a clear run to the chequered flag over the remaining nine laps.
Spirit of Qatar 95 also ran a long lap on the subsequent tour and al Tayer and Tomlinson found themselves 14 seconds adrift in fifth place heading into lap five. By lap six, Team Abu Dhabi was running in fourth position and al Tayer and Tomlinson managed to pass Fendi Racing to trail Victory 3 and the two Spirit of Qatar boats.
Al Zafeen and bin Hendi extended their advantage at the head of the field from the two Qatar Team boats with four laps to run. Team Abu Dhabi maintained a comfortable fourth place for the second race in two days.
The pair recorded the second fastest lap of 3mins 00.67secs on the second of their two laps taken during the morning's final practice session. Victory 3 again won the stint with a sub-three minute lap.
