QMSF chief calls for more Class 1 races

Sports Reporter/Doha

SPEAKING HIS MIND: Sheikh Hassan seen during a press briefing yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma

Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) President Sheikh Hassan Jabor bin al-Thani is of the view that the Class One World Powerboat Championship should have more races and should not be restricted to just five races per season.The QMSF chief, who pilots the Spirit of Qatar boat in Class One action, felt it is important for the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) to review its calendar.“Most of the time our crew and equipment are lying idle, as we are not competing. We just have 4-5 races through the season. If we have more races we will be able to earn some revenue,” said Sheikh Hassan, while releasing the calendar of the QMSF season for local and international races.“We need to justify our expenses at some point of time and participating in just 4-5 races is not an ideal situation,” he added. The QMSF chief was also upset and worried about the future of the Class One World Powerboat Championship after the accident in Gabon. On July 13, Welmax Offshore Racing Team pilot William Nocker of England died while co-pilot, Kurt Olsen, got injured in an accident which occurred during the Gabon Grand Prix, round 2 of the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship. Despite the horrific incident the race went ahead and the organisers also followed it up with a victory ceremony.“The race should have been red flagged and should not have continued, with one dead and another critically injured. But there was no respect, the race continued and strangely there was also podium celebrations, all which is not good for the sport.“They should not have celebrated after a death took place just 15-20 minutes earlier, and out of respect for the dead and the injured,” said Sheikh Hassan.Sheikh Hassan lamented that both the driver and throttleman were new and the UIM should have taken adequate precautions so as to not to allow two rookies on one boat.“I watched the footage of the race and you can see that the boat was quick and operated in an unsafe condition throughout the race,” recollected Sheikh Hassan. Sheikh Hassan went on to add that most of the competitors operating under the umbrella of UIM in Class One were unhappy, but breaking away from the world governing body for powerboating has not been discussed.“We are not happy with the calendar, but if we want to organise and compete in races, under which organisation we will compete is a big question mark. But an announcement is due in the coming months.” The UIM is meeting next week to take stock of the accident in Gabon. Four more races are due to take place in Siracusa, Italy from August 31 to September 2, Cernobbio, Italy from September 21 to 23, Dubai from December 13 to 15 and Abu Dhabi from December 19 to 21. Qatar hosted the season-opener from March 14 to 17, while Libreville Gabon hosted the ill-fated second round from July 12 to 14.