2010 AMERICAN OPA OFFSHORE CHAMPIONSHIP, round 7
Solomons Island, Maryland – October 3
For immediate release
Monday, October 4th, 2010
QATAR’S SHEIKH HASSAN TAKES STUNNING WIN
IN OPA OFFSHORE RACE AT SOLOMONS ISLAND
· Ali Al-Neama and Nicolini lead and finish second overall
· Talkin Trash slips to third place; mechanical woe for WHM
SOLOMONS ISLAND (USA): His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis claimed victory in the seventh round of the 2010 American OPA Offshore Racing series at Solomons Island, Maryland, on Sunday. In so doing, the QMSF pair unofficially claimed the American Supercat title in Spirit of Qatar 96.
Ali-Al Neama and Italian throttleman Matteo Nicolini finished a fine second overall in the Supercat category at the helm of Spirit of Qatar 95, after heading Sheikh Hassan for a couple of laps once they had overtaken Talkin Trash, the first lap leaders.
“It was a bit bumpy on one end of the course, but not bad conditions at all,” said a delighted Sheikh Hassan, who now returns to Doha for a couple of weeks before his final American race of the season in Alabama in two weeks time.
“Talkin Trash made a good start and went out in front, but Ali (Al-Neama) was driving very well. He really has made big improvements and managed to get ahead. We squeezed in front of Talkin Trash and, maybe, Ali stayed on the inside for too long and we managed to get in front and hold on to take the win.”
Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis trailed Talkin Trash, crewed by Jimmy Winters and Vinny Rifice, by 61 championship points heading into the race weekend and unofficial reports suggest that he has now claimed the Supercat title. The WHM 5 boat, crewed by Billy Mauff and Jay Muller, retired with mechanical problems.
The Chesapeake Bay Power Boat Association staged the race on a course in front of the main sea wall on Solomons Island.
Sheikh Hassan and the Spirit of Qatar Team will now wrap up their 2010 American racing campaign at Orange Beach, Alabama, on October 15-17.
Ends
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www.oparacing.org
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