Equipment is in place, registration and scrutineering complete. The world’s finest aquabike riders are now making their final preparations for the start of the Old Doha Port Grand Prix of Qatar on Thursday morning.
The new venue is hosting the finale to this year’s UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship under the auspices of the UIM and the guiding hands of Aquabike Promotion and the Doha Marine Sports Club.
Riders and team personnel busied themselves with fine tuning their skis after the recent round of the series at Olbia in Sardinia. Ten years ago, the last Qatar race was held in Doha Bay along the Corniche adjacent to the iconic Sheraton Hotel. On this occasion, the Old Port area around the Corniche will host the weekend’s action.
Defending Champion Returns
Quinten Bossche is the defending Ski Division GP1 World Champion and is making his first appearance in Qatar with the Grand Prix returning after that 10-year absence. He has three Moto wins and three retirements so far this season and is arguably one of the fastest racers on the UIM-ABP tour.
The Ostende-based Belgian said:
“I have lost too many points in the championship to do something so I just need to do some good results. With some good luck, I could maybe still finish third. When you come here, especially as the World Champion, you come here for a victory. I try and do my best, set the boat up and finish all the races this time and go for the victory in the GP.”
Bossche reflected on the course conditions:
“Personally, I would have loved to see the course on the other side (Doha Bay). I like the waves. I think, as a pro ski racer, that is what you like to battle against the weather. For me, that’s a big thing. I love waves and all of the challenge. It puts everybody back at zero. It’s pure skill and the ski doesn’t make a difference any more. I do think with the walls and the fact we have 23 riders (Ski GP1), it’s still going to be a rough race. Everyone has the same issues with the heat. Just stay hydrated and rest.”
Chavanne Aiming for Strong Finish
Jessica Chavanne is the defending European champion and a former World Champion. Boat damage in Sardinia has now ruled her out of overall title contention but the French rider is looking forward to her first ever race weekend in Qatar.
Speaking before a brief ski shakedown on Wednesday afternoon, she said:
“I think it will be a good race. I had a delamination on the side of the ski in Sardinia and my hull was under the water. The marshals saved my ski and I had a big shock. That’s why I feel a bit sick. I am really grateful that I had nothing else (injury).”
On her goals for Qatar, Chavanne added:
“The first goal is to take pleasure. In Indonesia, I had the covid, in Olbia the problem with the hull and now I want to give everything I can and after that we will see. We will make a set-up for me to be more comfortable.”
Thursday Schedule
Thursday’s timetable sees the free practice sessions for the Runabout GP2 Asian Continental Championship fire into life from 09.30hrs and precede nearly two hours of practice for the Ski Ladies GP1, Ski Division GP1, Runabout GP1 and Freestyle competitors.
Thursday afternoon will be dominated by the various qualifying and pole position sessions.
Neil Perkins, is a seasoned sports journalist and PR professional. Educated at Adams’ Grammar School, Newport, he developed a lifelong passion for sport, including football, cricket, golf, and snooker.
Perkins began his career as a trainee accountant before moving into sports journalism in 1986 with Motoring News, covering events worldwide. In 1990, he founded NDP Publicity Services in Shropshire, specialising in sports public relations. Over three decades, he has worked across 114 countries for governments, sporting federations, royalty, celebrities, and major events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Winter Olympics.
Outside work, he follows Ipswich Town FC, enjoys fishing in Spain and Shropshire, and travels to destinations including Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Catalunya, and Mexico.
