Dubai: The UAE’s Rashid Al Qamzi and Rashid Al Tayer came up just short in their attempt to secure a record-breaking fourth UIM H20 Nations Cup title in Shanghai on Thursday.
Two yellow flag incidents in the first of two 25-lap sprint races left the Emirati duo with insufficient time to mount a challenge for the podium. This handed advantage to Russia as the UAE became embroiled in a tussle with the USA to fight it out for second in the second sprint race.
Russia’s Roman Vandyshev led from the start of the yellow flag interrupted opening race to edge out Australia’s Corey Davoll. But veteran American drivers, Jay Price and Scott Gillman, were the main beneficiaries and third and fourth places moved the USA into contention to topple the UAE and snatch second place. Al Qamzi and Al Tayer finished sixth and eighth.
Vandyshev controlled the second race and was supported by a fifth-placed finish for Andrey Panyushkin to confirm the UIM H2O Nations Cup title for the Russians. Meanwhile third and sixth positions for Price and Gillman was enough to pip the UAE to the runners-up spot by a single point after Al-Qamzi and Al-Tayer finished fourth and seventh in race two to finish third overall.
“It was another exciting weekend of racing, but we came up just short against strong competition,” said Salem Al-Romaithi, assistant general manager of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC). “The UIM H2O Nations Cup is a team event and an excellent racing format. Both Rashid Al Qamzi and Rashid Al Tayer gave their best and we will come back next year and try to win back the UIM H2O Nations Cup.”
The UIM H20 Nations Cup is a three-race eight-team competition held over two days. The UAE had been favourites heading into the final day after Al Qamzi won the opening Match Race final on Wednesday.
