Saturday, 25 October, PORTO MARINA (Egypt): With rough conditions anticipated for this afternoon’s Egyptian Grand Prix, race officials have announced a shortened rough-water course. "At the moment there is not as much wind, but the sea conditions are still severe and conditions are very changeable, as we have already seen." said race director, Rory Power. "In order to preserve the boats, bearing in mind that we have two races in Dubai after this one, and on safety grounds to ensure we can maintain rescue facilities in the current sea state, we have shortened the course."

Teams will still face 20 laps in total, the start lap, two mandatory long-laps and 17 race laps, but with the race reduced to 70.40Nm.

Over the last two days teams have battled up to two-metre seas and gusting winds. Both boats and pilots have taken a pounding, with Victory 1, Foresti & Suardi and Negotiator all requiring running-repairs to damage to their hulls ahead of this afternoon’s race.

For Class 1 newcomer, Mohammed Abdelkader Ahmed, today will be a baptism of fire as he makes his Grand Prix debut in the toughest conditions he could face. "This has been quite an introduction to Class 1, but so far we have done ok and the hardest thing has been communicating with Ahmed (Al Suwaidi) because we don’t speak the same language." he said. "The boat is running well and the best thing today will be to complete my first race and get my first points in Class 1."

It has been a difficult weekend for the Duemme Broker Team, forced to run two scratch- pairings due to the absence of team boss and throttleman of Spirit of Spain, Domenico Cirilli, who is replaced by the experienced Giovanni Carpitella who was due to race with Abdelkader Ahmed.

Carpitella spent most of last night overseeing repairs to the engine of Spirit of Spain after damaging it in yesterday’s practice and confirmed this morning that they will make the start line.

Story / Image courtesy: www.class-1.com