Top pair collect points in Sweden despite collision in opening round
Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi of Fazza took top spot in the closing race of the Swedish Grand Prix on Sunday.
Despite reitiring in the opening round of the event in Uddevalla on Saturday the team bounced back with a comfortable win on the final day.
The World Champions recovered from a hair-raising collision with Relekta in race one on Saturday that launched Fazza skywards and put Relekta out of Sunday’s event. They led the three-boat UAE team to the first turn, the scene of Saturday’s carnage.
Once out in front Al Zafeen and Bin Hendi (pictured) never looked threatened as they went on to complete the 16 laps in 39mins 19secs at an average speed of 111.21mph, crossing the line over 20 seconds ahead of the rest.
Bin Hendi said: “Our pit crew did a fantastic job and without their effort we wouldn’t have raced today.
“They worked all night on Saturday to repair the boat; the race may have appeared easy but it wasn’t. It was tight at the beginning and although we made a good start we still had to push hard for the first few laps.”
It was the 17th career-win for Al Zafeen and Bin Hendi putting them within one win of the Victory Team record of 18, shared by former multiple Champions, Saeed Al Tayer and Ali. It also places the pair 22-points clear of their team-mates at the top of the overall Championship table.
Class 1 now heads to Stresa on Lake Maggiore for the Italian Grand Prix and the European Championship in October.
Class 1 World Offshore Championship after round three (6th of 12 races):
1. Fazza – 108pts
2. Skydive Dubai – 86pts
3. Team Abu Dhabi – 66pts
4. Primatist – 46pts
5. Welmax – Scam – 31pts
6. (joint) Foresti & Suardi and Relekta – 11pts
8. Welmax Alianza – 10pts
