Abu Dhabi : UAE pilot Rashid Al Tayer was crowned winner of the Abu Dhabi Jet Ski Grand Prix despite finishing behind Spaniard Nicholas Reyos, who failed to attend the presentation of medals at the end of the Pro Runabout up to 1600 cc category.
American James Buchill, who finished third, won the second place trophy.
"We are sorry for Reyos but we have to apply the rules of the competition, which say that if a driver misses the ... awards ceremony, he will be stripped of his victory," an organiser told Gulf News.
Kuwaiti drivers dominated the Runabout up to 1600 cc race, taking all three top places with Mohammad Jasem Al Bazz finishing first, followed by Mohammad Ebrahim Bu Rabie, last year's reigning champion, and Abdul Rahman Gazi Al Badr.
The European drivers kept the top two places of the Pro Ski up to 900 cc with Austrian Kevin Raitner first, followed by Frenchman Steven Dolliak. American Alex Kim finished third giving his competitors from the Old Continent a warning that he is serious about winning the title this year.
Local youngsters dominated the Junior Ski up to 800 cc category with Mansour Rashid finishing first before his compatriots Khalifa Rashid and Shamis Rashid Al Shamsi.
Continued success
The success of UAE drivers continued in the Ski Limited up to 800 cc with Omar Abdullah taking first place, Al Murr Mohammad Bin Huraiz second and Hamdan Rashid Al Qubaisi third.
Mohammad Saeed Al Rumaithi, the defending freestyle champion, started the new season where he left off and won the Abu Dhabi GP followed by Saif Saeed Al Rumaithi and Khalid Rashid Al Rumaithi, respectively.
Salem Al Rumaithi, assistant director of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club who organised the race, presented the trophies and prizes "It was a fantastic race. Thrilling, competitive and safe. We are happy to host the curtain raiser of the season wishing our local drivers the best of luck in the season ...," he said.
