The World Professional Powerboat Association (WPPA) announced yesterday that the final round of the 2015 UIM XCAT World Series will be hosted by the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, at the end of the year.

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Representatives from both the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMC), where the race will be held, and Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) gathered at DIMC Mina Seyahi to make the announcement.

Attending the function were the ADIMC President and advisor to the UAE President, H.H Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as the DIMC President, H.H Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Also in attendance was WPPA President H.E Dr Saif Al Ketbi and ADIMC board member Ahmed Al Rumaithi, DIMC Chairman H.E Saeed Hareb, DIMC and WPPA Vice President Dr Khalid Al Zahed, DIMC and WPPA board member Essa Khalfan Bin Kharbesh and Arif Al Zaffain – DIMC Board Member and Victory Team General Manager.

“This is a wonderful day for both Dubai and Abu Dhabi and on behalf of the WPPA, it is a pleasure to welcome Abu Dhabi on board as hosts of the final leg of this year’s UIM XCAT World Series,” said Al Ketbi.

On behalf of ADIMC, Al Rumaithi added: “We are thrilled to be involved in the XCAT World Series in this way.

"We were already represented by two boats in the final round last year but now we are really looking forward to hosting the action and welcoming all the teams from around the world to ADIMC at the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, Hareb expressed his pleasure at the collaboration between the two cities. “It is wonderful to be working together with Abu Dhabi on this and we are anticipating a fantastic final round of racing in the capital at the end of the year,” he said.

Also announced yesterday was that Abu Dhabi will be represented in the Series from the start of the season, with a boat from Team Abu Dhabi joining the action from the opening round in Fujairah from February 25-27.

More details on the teams joining the Series will be announced in due course.

For more information on the XCAT World Series, log on to www.xcatracing.com