DOHA: The Spirit of Qatar Team starts its challenge for honours in the Superboat Unlimited class at the 32nd Annual Key West World Championships in Florida today.
Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al Thani and throttleman Steve Curtis will take part in the first of three races at the famous racing festival, with other races scheduled for November 9 and, November 11.
Sheikh Hassan arrived in the United States on Sunday and has spent the last two days working with the team to piece together the final preparations.
Spirit of Qatar 96 will be powered by a pair of 1000hp Skema engines, but is still underpowered in comparison with some of the other boats in the category.
The Spirit of Qatar Team is expecting a fierce challenge from the two Gasse Team boats, 8 and 18.
Powered by a pair of 1350hp Mercury engines, the two 48 foot MTi hulls have been entered by Norwegian Tor Staubo and the experienced American John Tomlinson.
Sheikh Hassan is also mindful of the threat posed by the Miss Geico 113 boat, crewed by Florida’s Marc Granet and Scott Begovich and powered by a pair of 1200hp Mercury engines. Rich Wyatt and Hugh Fuller complete the Superboat Unlimited line-up in Cintron 21. The 50-foot Mystic boat is powered by a pair of mighty 1450hp Stotler Racing engines and is the most powerful in the line-up.
“We know that we have the least power on board and we are really hoping for rough conditions, so we can push hard and hopefully make it to the podium,” said Sheikh Hassan, the president of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF).
“The whole team is looking forward to the experience and the challenge of Key West and I am sure we will enjoy the racing. We can use the down time between the three races to continue our preparations for the 2013 season and continue to put together the plans for the turbine team.”
The Peninsula
