6:55 PM Sat 18 Jul 2009 GMT
Victory 1's Mohhamed Al Mehairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez will start from pole position in this afternoon's BMW Norwegian Grand Prix, after setting the fastest time, 3mins 21.04secs, on their second lap in this morning's official practice.
With yesterday's Edox Pole Position qualifying session cancelled due to severe weather conditions, today's practice session took on even greater significance with the times posted denoting the starting line-up.
It was an impressive performance by the Victory crew - stealing a march on Championship leaders and team-mates Fazza who posted the fourth quickest time of the session - who will start only their second Grand Prix together and for Al Mehairi especially, racing in Arendal one of the Championship's most demanding circuits for the first time.
There was little to separate both Qatar boats, but for the second consecutive race, Abdullah Al-Sulaiti and Matteo Nicolini, Qatar 95, will start ahead of their team-mates, outpacing Sheikh Hassan Bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis, Qatar 96, by just two-tenths of a second in a time of 3mins.21,75secs.
For Jorn Tandberg to make a successful start to the defence of his European title, he and Kolbjorn Selmer will have to come from fifth place, with Giorgioffshore's Niclola Giorgi - forced to make a last minute driver change bringing in Christian Zaborowski - posting the sixth best time to lead the second row starting line.
Maritimo Australia resolved the issues that have so far kept their time on the water to a minimum, with both boats enjoying a trouble-free session to finish ahead of Foresti & Suardi - Roscioli Hotels.
OFFICIAL PRACTICE - times/positions
1. Victory 1 - M Al Mehairi (UAE) / JM Sanchez (FRA) - 3.21,04
2. Qatar 95 - A Al-Sulaiti (QAT) / M Nicolini (ITA) - 03.21.75
3. Qatar 96 - H Al-Thani (QAT) / S Curtis (GBR) - 03.21,95
4. Fazza 3 - A Al Zafeen (UAE) N Bin Hendi (UAE) - 03.22,25
5. Welmax 90 - K Selmer (NOR) / J Tandberg (NOR) - 03.22,78
6. Giorgioffshore 18 - R Calugi (ITA) / N Giorgi (ITA) - 03.25,26
7. Maritimo 11 - PV Nilsen (NOR) / T Barry-Cotter (AUS) - 03.29,35
8. Maritimo 12 - G Manuzzi (SMR) / P McGrath (NZL) - 03.48,65
9. Foresti & Suardi - Roscioli Hotels 8 - G Soave (ITA) / G Montavoci (ITA) - 03.53,07
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