Rashed grabs pole in dramatic style to bring another world title within reach

Vila Velha de Ródão, the birthplace of the marine event in Portugal where racers are seen grappling with each other to reach the pole and secure the first position. Their powerboats have to be as docile as possible to manoeuvre them and maintain agility so that they reach the finish line and grab the top spot. 

In what came as jubilant news on the 16th of October, Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Qemzi secured the first place in powerboat racing for the 3rd time in the UIM F2 world championship after the 2017 and 2019 championships. The event took place over the Tagus river course, a great playground for him to demonstrate his avid passion for the sport and dexterity. 

This was his entry ticket into the finale of the Grand Prix in Portugal being just one position behind the championship leader Edgaras Riabko by a mere two points but also held an advantage over him as he was to start from the 11th incumbent on the compendium. 

This alludes that even something less than victory might’ve been pacifying to provide Al Qemzi another F2 title and dedicate it to the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club. That said, to make matters in his favour, he would’ve occultly eyed for a stunning triumph.

Where he was winning hearts far and wide, his team peer, Mansoor Al Mansoori leapfrogged Riabko to bag the 10th spot and he would’ve tried to reiterate this progress by trumping others in the field in Ribadouro. He eventually surged by 6 places from the beginning and reached not the zenith but the 5th position. 

Al Qemzi was more elated and exalted than ever before after achieving success in Ribadouro. He showed his major trump card in the seven boat final qualifying crusade to set a winning time which could outshine Portugal’s 2020 F2 world champion, Duarte Benavente. 

Likely because of their wins, their spirits were high during the afternoon’s free practice sessions with Al Qemzi wading through the water with the third fastest time, just ahead of Al Mansoori. 

At the end, Al Mansoori wasn’t able to make it to the qualifying round but his determined partner, Al Qemzi was imminently going to reach past the pole when Sweden’s Bimba Sjöholm swished overtaking him with a fantastic final lap. 

The latter was almost in full appraisal of the situation and was building pace with tenacity but was left behind by three positions to claim the 4th at the end after Norway’s Tobias Munthe-Kaas. Ultimately, it was Al Qemzi who attracted the first position towards himself and emerged victorious yet again demonstrating his skill and perseverance required to make it this far. 

Rashed Al Qemzi qualified into the final round scoring 27 points at the 2nd position in the top 10. Racing using powerboats is a unique event which can get tricky if the water and velocity isn’t judged effectively. However, both the drivers from the UAE proved it brilliantly that with a cool disposition and relentless training, the goals can be achieved. Competing against some of the finest players from Norway, Scotland, Portugal and Lithuania, it wasn’t a cakewalk for them. This is expected to be registered as a proud moment for the UAE in its endeavour to strive for excellence like a juggernaut.