Florida, November 04 (QNA) - The Qatari team "Spirit of Qatar 96" is set to compete on Wednesday in the first main race of the Extreme Class within the 44th Annual Key West World Championship for Offshore Powerboat Racing, currently taking place in the city of Key West, Florida, USA, and continuing until Nov. 9, 2025.
The duo, HE Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani, the team's driver, and his British throttleman Steve Curtis, aspire to secure a strong result in this tournament, to deepen their position in the overall standings ahead of the second and third races, particularly amid fierce competition from a lineup of the world's foremost champions.
The mission of the pair, who have already clinched multiple World Offshore Powerboat Racing Championships in the Class 1 category, will be a formidable one in this global challenge, especially after more than a decade away from the international circuit, coupled with the stiff competition posed by reigning world champions.
Tomorrow's race marks the first of three main contests in the Extreme Class category, with the second main race slated for Friday, and the third and final showdown set to conclude the championship on Sunday.
The squad has already completed its preparations for this global challenge, following the free practice sessions held today off the shores of Key West, during which the crew tested the racecourse and the twin competitors gestated a unified racing approach to be adopted during the opening contest.
HE Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor said he is pretty sanguine about the squad's capability to achieve incredible results in these contests, to perform well, and reach the top levels that best suit its global reputation.
Despite being away for a while from participation in world tournaments, the tests conducted throughout the past week, along with the freely gestated experiences, provided massive assurance in terms of mental and physical fitness, as well as the integrity of the boat, which is no less significant than the driver and his assistant in such championships, he highlighted.
HE Sheikh Hassan explained that he will embark on this challenge aboard the newly built Spirit of Qatar 96, competing in the Extreme Class, which features the participation of the most distinguished and formidable racers on the global stage.
He further indicated that he had previously engaged in numerous joint challenges with them prior to his hiatus, an experience that will bolster his ability to compete fiercely, relying on immense enthusiasm and resolute determination to make up for the prolonged absence.
The tournament kicked off Monday near the race area with a parade showcasing all participating boats, marking the official kick-off of the tournament. (QNA)