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UIM XCAT World Powerboating Series: Top-three spot beckons for Italians in rough water - Hoorsenbuhs
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8 June, Cascais – Rough conditions in the Atlantic Ocean could be just what the Italian Hoorsenbuhs team need to break into the top three spots in the UIM XCAT World Powerboating Series rankings.
Speaking ahead of round three, which takes place in Cascais, Portugal this weekend, driver Tomaso Polli said his team will be going all out for the win at the brand new venue.
“To finish the championship in the top three is our target for the season, and it's certainly possible. After the second place in Fujairah [round one], a win during the season would be hugely satisfying,” said UK-based Polli.
Dubbed the greatest motorsport series on water, XCAT (short for extreme catamaran) racing sees teams of two (driver and throttleman) in two-engined, carbon fibre boats contesting an all-out battle of speed of close to 200km on the water.
Polli and throttleman Matteo Nicolini currently hold fourth spot in the overall rankings with just three points separating them from both the second and third-placed teams. And with a boat that’s suited to tackling rough water, the Italian duo are hoping Cascais serves up some big waves.
“We will race in the Atlantic Ocean, so likely it will be a bit rough. In those conditions, our boat proved to be one of the most competitive,” said Polli, whose last XCAT win, with Nicolini, was in Italy in 2013.
“We are very happy to race in Portugal and in the Atlantic Ocean. Cascais has a long tradition in watersports. It's one of the European capitals for surfing and kite-surfing and it's an important sailing centre,” he added.
“Adding a world-class powerboating event such as XCAT is a strong sign of the passion for watersports there. We expect a good number of spectators during the weekend. The public have a crucial role for the success of the race, and XCAT fans know perfectly the great satisfaction that comes with attending the event in person.
“The higher the number of spectators, the higher the adrenaline during the race. We look forward to seeing all of them there.”
Polli and Nicolini will be hoping the crowds continue to inspire them in the remainder of the series as, after Portugal, XCAT action moves to the Gold Coast, Australia in August, Nice, France in October and then on to the UAE for two more races, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in November.
For more information on the Series and to watch live streaming of the event, log on to www.xcatracing.com
Photo : WPPA/Raffaello Bastiani photography
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