ShareBy Abdellatif Sharaa
KUWAIT: Kuwait Sea Sports Club signed a memo of understanding and cooperation with UAE's Shariqa Sea Sports Club on the sidelines of the World Aquabike Championship "the first round," which concluded late last night at the Marina beach, under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who was represented by Information Minister, State Minister for Youth Affairs Mohammad Al-Jabri.
Shariqa International Sea Sports Club Executive Director Ahmad Al-Housani said he was pleased to attend the competitions of the first round of the world championship, being held in Kuwait for the first time. He said "we received an invitation from Kuwait Sea Sports Club to attend the Aquabike World Championship being held with the participation of an elite group of world champions." He said we are proud in being in Kuwait the land of peace and friendship.
Strong competition
Member of Kuwait Olympic Committee Sheikh Mubarak Faisal Al-Nawaf spoke about the tough competition in the preliminary stages, and Al-Nawaf congratulated all officials at the youth ministry and Public Authority for Sports as well as Kuwait Sea Sports Club for organizing the World Championship for the first time in Kuwait under the patronage of HH the Amir, which gives the championship a strong push and support.
High spirits
Public Relations Director at Kuwait Sea Sports Club Salman Al-Khulaifan said competition was tough and strong between all riders who represented 35 countries in all categories and lauded the high spirits despite the fierce competition, adding that the first two days saw entertaining shows that were seen by a large crowd, which shows the popularity of this sport in Kuwait which is something promising for it in Kuwait.
Preliminary round
They preliminary round to qualify for the finals were held over two days, resulting in Spanish rider Nacho Armilas taking first place in the GP1 professionals category standing for men. The second place went to French rider Michael Bouret, while Norway's Stien Shitlene won third place.
In the women GPI professionals standing France's Jessica Chavan won first place followed by her compatriot Estel Bouret while Poland's Lisa Patalia ended in third place. In the GPI setting professionals UAE's Rashid Al-Tayer won first place, followed by Marcos Georgineseen in second, and Kuwait's Yousuf Al-Abdelrazaq in third position. In the free style category UAE's Rashid Al-Mulla took place, Maryani second and Nounis third.
In the standing Slaloms Norway's Anderson won first place, followed by his compatriot Jetlen in second and Hungary's Cizabo won third. In the women's standing slaloms Sweden's Ortendal was first followed by France's Bouret in second while Estonia's Yebres in third. Kuwait's Yousuf Al-Abdelrazaq won first place of the men's setting slaloms followed by UAE's Marcos Georgenstein, and UAE's Ali Al-Linqawi third.
