Tuesday, 3 December, ABU DHABI (UAE): Rashed Al Qemzi led a UAE one-two in this morning’s official qualifying which was yellow-flagged less than 10 minutes into the session when Qatar’s rookie driver Mohamad Al Obaidly blew his boat over on his third lap.
The Qatari driver was unhurt but is unlikely to take part in this afternoon’s Match Race and tomorrow’s two 20-minute sprint races, which all but ends Team Qatar’s chances of winning their first Nations Cup.
Al Qemzi and Mohamad Al Meharibi locked-out the top two spots and sat at the top of the time sheets throughout the one hour session, Al Qemzi’s time of 45.82 seconds just over two-tenths quicker than his teammate and puts him on pole position for race 1.
Stefano Paoletti was impressive on his Nations Cup debut setting the third fastest time for Team Italy, his teammate Marco Gambi going sixth quickest.
Qatar Match Race winner Khalid Al Kuwari posted the fourth best time ahead of the faster of the two Norwegians, Stian Slattedalen.
Official practice:
1. 2 Rashed Al Qemzi (uae) – 45.82s
2. 1 Mohamad Al Mehairbi (uae) – 61.11s
3. 14 Stefano Paoletti (ita) – 46.16s
4. 11 Khalid Al Kuwari (qat) – 46.60s
5. 8 Stian Slattedalen (nor) – 46.62s
6. 13 Marco Gambi (ita) – 46.75s