Boat 36 proved to be resilient even after seeing sister boat Team Abu Dhabi 35 drop back to fifth with engine issues. Thani Al-Qamzi, double UIM F1 H2O world champion Alex Carella, Majed Al-Mansoori and Italian Tullio Abbate led the opening race when luck deserted them.

The two boats then took part in a second endurance race yesterday and Team Abu Dhabi 36 finished third overall after, with Boat 35 down in fifth position. New Star 20 held on to the lead to claim outright victory from Navicart Racing after finishing six laps ahead.

“Winning the first of the races was a great start to the weekend for the entire team,” said a delighted Salem Al Romaithi, assistant general manager of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC). “The race was close and they all made a superb contribution to a great team effort.”

It was far from easy for Team Abu Dhabi in the first race. New Star 20 led after the first hour, with the eventual winners in third place.

Navikart Racing gained the upper hand overtaking Boat 35 after 94 laps. Boat 36 maintained third and New Star fourth. After 137 laps, Team Abu Dhabi 35 held the lead from their team-mates and Navikart, but a mere two laps separated the top three boats in what was developing into a thrilling race.

Navikart regained the advantage after 182 laps and headed into the fifth hour leading Team Abu Dhabi 36 by three.

New Star 22 then snatched the lead after 216 laps. They were a single lap in front of Boat 36, only for Team Abu Dhabi to hit the front and claim a stunning win for the ADIMSC.