XCAT World Series takes off with title sponsor

Saturday, Aug 03, 2013

Dubai: With just a few weeks until the next round of the XCAT World Series kicks into gear, event organisers — the World Professional Powerboating Association (WPPA) — have announced a new title sponsor.

The Series, which sees international competitors battling it out at a variety of spectacular venues across the globe, will now be referred to as the SkyDive Dubai XCAT World Series as the UAE-based adrenaline-inducing syndicate has come on board for three years.

The announcement was made at a suitably dramatic occasion with one of SkyDive Dubai’s planes swooping over Fazza, the current leading boat in the XCAT World Series, at the Dubai Marina runway.

Speaking about the new partnership, Vice-President of the WPPA, Dr. Khalid Al Zahed said: “There couldn’t be anyone better to have as title sponsors than SkyDive Dubai who are all about exhilaration and excitement — just like the XCAT World Series is.

“We are thrilled to have them on board and have no doubt there will be plenty of crossover between fans of the two sports,” he added.

Sid Bensalah, Secretary-General, WPPA, said: “This is an historic and unique partnership as the well-known brand, SkyDive Dubai, comes onboard as title partner of the WPPA for the first time. They already sponsor a football club in the UAE national league and jet ski/aqua bike pilots as well as a rally car team. Working together we will certainly promote Dubai as a unique destination where exhilarating things happen.”

Nasser Al Neyadi, President, Emirates Aero Sport Federation and Chairman of the board of SkyDive Dubai, said: “SkyDive Dubai has been supporting different kinds of sport events and we are delighted to be the title sponsor of XCAT World Series. Powerboat racing is a thrilling and exciting marine sport, with a strong fan base in the region.”

Neighbouring the luxurious man-made island, The Palm Jumeirah, and the Dubai Marina, SkyDive Dubai boasts a drop zone area of 260,000 metres and a runway area size of 60m x 700m.

Run under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, SkyDive Dubai is a one-stop destination for all skydivers, skydiving enthusiasts and first-time visitors offering breathtaking views over Dubai.

Meanwhile, three rounds of the 2013 UIM SkyDive Dubai XCAT World Series have already taken place, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the next round due to be contested in the stunning lakeside town of Stresa, Italy from August 30- September 1.

Dubai-based Fazza leads the series standings with 830 points with Mouawad 50 in second on 671 points and Victory Team in third on 525 points.

Staff Report