Pal Virik Nilsen and Tom Barry-Cotter did it again! Today they won the Melbourne Grand Prix and then secured the Australian Class-1 and Aus 1 title. It was a race with plenty action and tricky conditions on many places around the course. Qatar 96 flipped during lap 7. Steve Curtis and Ali Al Nema unhurt but boat damaged. Restart followed.
Mustang with Tom and Pal had a good fight with ACME racing who was their biggest challenge to the title. Maritimo 15 where in the lead of the race when ACME stopped with gear box problem. Then the "fight"was agains Maritimo 15. A "fight" Mustang won in the end and secured racewin and the title.
Pal says: It has been a strange season where we had many downs but we never gave up, even after four race retirements in a row mid season. That makes this title taste even better than earlier ones. Big thanks to the whole team for this season. Especially to Bill, Lesley and of course Tom.
Hopefully we will be back in WC next season fighting for the world title. Now we will have some celebrations before flight home on monday!
