When the Corniche thundered...

Did anybody watch the Qatar Marine Festival Grand Prix at the Corniche? My young grandson threatened/cajoled me into accompanying him to watch those vrooming, thundering machines do their bit on the Corniche.

Although I was a little apprehensive at the start, I soon settled into the groove. The organisers certainly got the mood right. Loud music blared and pretty young girls (and boys too) sashayed all around the place. However, when the action in the sea started, all eyes were naturally drawn to the raw power on display.

Those machines are real mean and fast. One second, I saw them take powerful turns while in the next, they disappeared around the bend. They may have been going in excess of 200kmph. My grandson had a good laugh at my expense when I clutched his hand, out of fear, when the salty spray from the sea hit my eye (note to self: Should take goggles next time to avoid embarassment) and I almost dipped over. But hell, I’ve got some more fight left in me before I do that, LOL.

So imagine my delight when a Briton finished second? I must have cheered the loudest when Steve Curtis came on stage to receive the second-place trophy. He makes a good team with Sheikh Hassan Bin Jabor Al-Thani, who looks ruggedly handsome.

I also saw a million cameras flash during the prize ceremony. I felt stupid at not having taken my camera. But when taken to the race with a gun pointed to head (literally), taking a camera to capture the moments would be the last thought crossing one’s mind.

Surprise of surprises, I enjoyed the day. It was an evening well spent on the Corniche. And next year, the Qatar 96 team will have one extra 65-year-old cheering for them as loud as her not-so-healthy lungs will allow her to.

P.S: I felt bad for the Qatar 95 team which led for so long, but had to be taken out with a shot engine. There’s always a next time, buddies, there’s always a next time!