2009 ABRA Unlimited Hydroplane World Championship
Oryx Cup – UIM World Championship, Doha – November 19th-21st
For immediate release
Sunday, November 8th, 2009
UNLIMITED HYDROPLANES ARRIVE IN DOHA
IN ADVANCE OF NEXT WEEK’S ORYX CUP
· Oryx Cup set to feature live video streaming on the internet
DOHA (Qatar): Ten Unlimited Hydroplanes, the world’s fastest and most exciting powerboats, have arrived in Doha in advance of next week’s Oryx Cup – UIM World Championship.
The boats were sent from the United States of America by shipping company Peters & May, aboard a Hoegh Autoliners RORO vessel, and will now be prepared and re-fettled by teams racing under the auspices of the American Boat Racing Association (ABRA), before they take to the waters of Doha Bay for the final round of the ABRA Unlimited Hydroplane World Championship on November 19th-21st.
The Doha race has been arranged by the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), in conjunction with ABRA, and marks the first race for the Unlimited Hydroplanes outside the USA. His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), is currently in America preparing for this week’s 29th Key West World Championship, but is relishing the prospect of Unlimited Hydroplanes racing in Doha Bay.
ABRA have also announced that they have hired Tampa Digital Studios to produce and broadcast the inaugural Oryx Cup UIM World Championship live via the hydroplane racing series’ web site, www.abrahydroplanes.com. This partnership with Tampa Digital will allow fans across the world to see the World Championship live in streaming programming on the internet.
The coverage will include multiple high-definition video cameras, interviews and play-by-play audio provided by veteran hydroplane public address announcer Steve Montgomery for each qualification heat and the winner-take-all final. The coverage will have unlimited broadband capability, designed to grow with the number of users logging on.
“The majority of hydroplane owners have stepped up to the plate in arranging this coverage,” said Sam Cole, Chairman of ABRA. “They want to make sure fans across the world see what a terrific race His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani has provided. This is the start of the future for us.”
“This is a breakthrough for marine sport to go live on the internet and it will give more exposure to the sport,” enthused Sheikh Hassan. “This will allow all who love the sport to be able to see it live anywhere around the world. I do believe it will take hydroplane racing to a new level.”
In addition to the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship, the ABRA’s National Championship for team and driver will be decided among the 10 hydroplane teams with the presentation of the Martini and Rossi National Champion Trophy.
The live broadcast will begin on Friday, November 20th. Exact Middle East timings will be issued next week.
Three commercial sponsors, Five Axis Industries (www.fiveaxisind.com), Formula Boats (www.formulaboats.com), and Oberto Sausage Company (www.obertosausagecompany.com) will be featured in the streaming broadcast.
Ends
For further media information about the QMSF:
Neil Perkins, NDP Publicity Services, Mobile: + 44 7831 123153, E-mail: ndppublicity@googlemail.com. www.ndp-publicity.com (press releases).
For further information about ABRA:
Owen Blauman, Oryx Cup UIM World Championship Media Relations, owenb@m5seattle.com.
www.qmsf.org