XCAT World Series: Dubai triumph as home team thrill with podium place

- Only current Series leaders XDubai could come between the home team and victory at the #xcat Gold Coast GP today.

- Italian Six complete the podium.

Taking on the fourth round of the UIM #xcat World Series, on the Gold Coast in Australia, XDubai produced a characteristically flawless performance to lead from the start and cross the line first with Gold Coast Australia second and Six third.

Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir bin Hendi started the race in Pole Position and powered straight to the front. Their only hiccup came when Victory teammates Salem Al Adidi and Eisa Al Ali flipped their Dubai boat for the second time in two days and the race was red flagged.

XDubai made no mistakes at the restart, however, and maintained their lead in the then- shortened race to take maximum points and extend their lead at the top of the Series standings.

The home racers were understandably thrilled with their second spot. There were some nervous moments, however, when Tom Barry-Cotter and teammate Ross Willaton realised their engine was giving trouble during the period when the race was suspended.

The Six boat of Tomaso Polli and Matteo Nicolini produced a fantastic performance to finish in third spot after starting the race in seventh.

Six have indeed closed the gap significantly on Team Abu Dhabi as they’re now just five points behind them in third spot. Abu Dhabi are second with 108 points with XDubai way out in front with 131.

GRAND PRIX RESULTS

1- XDubai (UAE)

2- Gold Coast, Australia (AUS)

3- Six (ITA)

4- Lady Spain (ESP)

5- Yachts (FRA)