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Moscow: Dubai Victory Team's Nader Bin Hindi and Mohammad Al Merri maintained Victory 1's superb Class 1 World Powerboat Championship campaign with a third straight win at the Russian Grand Prix in Moscow.
With a flawless display that underlines their position as red hot favourites for the world crown, Bin Hindi and Al Merri dominated the race from start to finish to cross the line more than a minute ahead of nearest rivals Shaikh Hassan Bin Jaber Al Thani and Steve Curtis in Qatar 96.
Third home two laps behind were Abdullah Al Sulaiti and Matteo Nicolini in Qatar 95 with Victory 7, crewed by Abdullah Al Mehairbi and Jean Marc Sanchez in fourth.
"Mohammad did a great job in getting us round what is really a very tight course," said throttleman Bin Hindi. "We were playing safe once we got that good start and made sure we didn't push the engines. The crew have got Victory 1 performing like a rocket boat and I don't think anyone can catch us."
It was yet another stunning performance by two men thrown together by the enforced absence of injured defending world champion Arif Al Zafeen.
But with a delighted Al Zafeen watching from the pits, Bin Hindi and Al Merri showed they have what it takes as they home in on what would be the Victory Team's eighth Class 1 world title in 15 years.
Despite having to restart the race while leading into the first turn, Bin Hindi and Al Merri grabbed the initiative for a second time and effectively closed the door on their rivals.
With Dubai team-mates Al Mehairbi and Sanchez holding second in Victory 7, Shaikh Hassan and Curtis attempted to get in between the two Dubai cats but only resulted in smashing into the rear right side of Victory 7 and causing damage to both boats.
In the overall standings, it means Bin Hindi and Al Merri strengthen their lead to 24 points over Al Mehairbi and Sanchez with Al Sulaiti and Nicolini in third place on 37 points.
Results
Russian Grand Prix, Moscow
1. Victory 1 - Al Merri/Bin Hindi (UAE) 59m:35.15s (Avg 168.5kmph)
2. Qatar 96 - Al Thani/Curtis (Q/UK) 61m:24.56s (Avg 163.5kmph)
3. Qatar 95 - Al Sulaiti/Nicolini (Q/I) + 1 lap (Avg 156.23kmph)
4. Victory 7 - Al Mehairbi/Sanchez (Q/Fr) + 3 laps (Avg 144.16kmph)
Overall World Championship After Three Rounds
1. Victory 1 - Al Merri/Bin Hindi (UAE) 64pts
2. Victory 7 - Al Mehairbi/Sanchez (UAE/Fr) 40pts
3. Qatar 95 - Al Sulaiti/Nicolini (Q/I) 37pts
4. Qatar 96 - Al Thani/Curtis (Q/GB) 35pts
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