In the new-format race for Emaar Pole Position, the duo claimed the fastest times in all three qualifying sessions to book their top spot.

Gold Coast Australia (Tom Barry-Cotter and Ross Willaton) will start in second spot with Swecat Racing (Mikael Bengtsson and Erik Stark) in third while T-Bone Station (Giovanni Carpitella and Luca Fendi) will complete the top starting gate in fourth spot on Friday.

The Dubai GP has been brought forward by a day because of high winds and rough sea conditions forecast for Saturday afternoon. As a result, the main race – the second round of the UIM XCAT World Powerboating Series – will take place on Friday at 3.30pm and the Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run will take place on Saturday at 2.30pm.