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SPEED ACE Yousef Al Rubayan is aiming to create a splash in Bahrain by taking top spot at tomorrow's first round of the UIM F2 World & Continental Powerboat Championship 2009, writes MAI AL KHATIB.
The event is being staged for the first time in the kingdom at Amwaj Marina at Amwaj Islands and the competition runs until Friday.
Al Rubayan, the Gulf's top water sports racer who lives in Kuwait, competes for the Port Ghalib team. He pilots an Italian DAC 2006 boat and has been preparing intensely for the coming season.
He is excited at the prospect of Bahrain hosting the event as he believes the kingdom's sporting pedigree of staging major events like the Formula One Grand Prix will prove to be an added benefit to his sport.
Al Rubayan said: "I have been ready for this tournament since last April preparing strongly by attending many camps at home and in Europe.
"I am confident of my team's ability and I am proud of all their hard work. I am going in with a win in mind.
"It will make me very proud to become a champion in Bahrain as it is like my second home. I will carry the Kuwaiti and Bahraini flags high when I secure the victory, if God wills it to be.
"This season will be completely different from the previous ones and I think that 70 per cent of the racers are new faces who will be eager to climb up that pole and achieve good results. However, I will not be easy prey to catch!"
In 2007, Al Rubayan broke speed records on the water and the following year was ranked eighth out of 19 pilots and sport pundits labelled him the racer to watch.
The Bahrain stage is being organised by Formula World Sports and is sponsored by GGICO, Gulf Air and Amwaj Marina.
Abdul Salam Fairooz, managing director of Formula World Sports, said: "It is a proud day for the Gulf to have Bahrain host such a global event. We have chosen Bahrain for its geographical location as an island, its facilities are up to the international standards to accomplish the best results and the enthusiasm and support we have already received from the Bahrain Watersports Federation.
"Having Al Rubayan racing and Bahrain hosting is a win for all. He has stated that racing in Bahrain will give him the push he needs to win the title because it will be like racing back home since Kuwait and Bahrain have such a friendly, brotherly relationshiop.
"Overall, Al Rubayan is definitely the man to look out for this year and he is expected to do very well."
Next year could see the entry of Bahraini pilots as the sport's organising body is planning to train local enthusiasts.
Races will also be staged in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah in the UAE before the end of the year.
