Dubai: The Victory Team pairing of Arif Al Zafein and Nader Bin Hindi are looking to further consolidate their position at the top of the standings when the stunning Swiss location of Lake Lugano plays host to the third round of the UIM XCAT World Series this weekend.

Al Zafein and Bin Hindi put the finishing touches to a perfect race weekend at the Mina Seyahi waters of the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) in mid-April to establish a comfortable 31-point lead at the top of the standings. The Dubai-based team had got their world title defence off to a perfect start after winning the season-opening Fujairah Grand Prix.

But the Dubai duo, who have also been close friends since childhood, are eager to further boost their chances for another world title. “The idea is to maintain the momentum. Despite the near unfavourable conditions for racing in Dubai, we did well to keep the others at bay and win maximum points. The next step is to focus on the upcoming race and win all the points and try and distance ourselves from the rest of the chasing boats,” Al Zafein told Gulf News after testing the boat on Lake Lugano yesterday.

“This year, things are trickier as most of the teams have new boats and new engines and that makes things even for all. So there is no particular boat that is a challenger. And from what we have seen in the first two races this year, everyone in the field is capable of winning,” he added.

Victory Team’s closest pursuers are the Swecat Racing team of Erik Stark and Mikael Bengtsson with 55 points, while the Dubai 33 pairing of Salem Al Adidi and Eisa Al Ali are in third overall, another four points adrift. Gold Coast Australia (48 points) and Carpisa Yamamay (39) occupy the next two places.

As per recent race regulations, every team needs to dump the old two-stroke engines and switch to the new Mercury XCAT ROS 400 four-stroke engines.

Friday’s official practice session for teams will be from 5pm-6.30pm UAE time, followed by a parade of the boats around the Swiss lake district. On Saturday, the Emaar Pole Position run will be held at 12.30pm UAE time followed by the Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run from 5.30pm-6.30pm UAE time. The teams will be allowed a practice session from 11am to noon on Sunday before the Lugano Grand Prix is flagged off at 3.30pm.