ROLF SUNDE RECOVERING FROM DOHA CRASH!
DANITA TEAM DRIVER EXPECTED TO HEAD HOME SHORTLY!

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – 23rd November, 2005 – A driver who was making up a lot of ground and one who has started to get a reputation as a real “charger” on the U.I.M. F1 World Championship tour for power boating is Rolf Magne Sunde. The Danita Racing Team, driver who fits the perfect mold as a “multi-tasker” working as both mechanic, engine guru and driver continues to sit in a hospital in Doha, Qatar home of last weekend’s 1st Annual Grand Prix of Qatar as he crashed heavily on the 25th tour of the 50 lap event. He is continuing to wait word of his departure to his native Norway after suffering a back injury after a hard barrel roll on the circuit.

According to close friends, Rolf is expected to fly via a bed transport on a flight in the next few days back home to Norway where reports are that he will be unable to sit for at least 3 months while recovering from a broken bone in his back that occurred during his mid-race crash.

Rolf, who is tied for 18th in the championship, has been used as a relief driver for the Danita Team for the past two seasons scoring a 9th at the Grand Prix of Singapore after starting 10th off the dock for his only finish in the two starts that he’s had this season. He is a driver with loads of talent that has won the F4 world title back in 1993 and the 2002 24 Hours of Rouen race in France. Rolf’s has shown his skills in qualifying with back to back top-6 shootout appearances at the end of last season at the Grand Prix’s of Malaysia and Sharjah.

In last weekend’s Grand Prix of Qatar, the 43 year-old from Kristiansand, qualified a lowly 22nd after his boat started to delaminate on the left sponson and cut his running time to just 5 total laps. After a late night fix he was able to enter the race and came charging up to 8th position. Despite a quick stoppage on the dock to sort out a problem around the 20th lap, he went back out in the race looking for more top-10 championship points until falling in a “hole” on the 25th lap at the end of the front straightaway and snapping the boat heavily with a tremendous hit from the barrel roll while almost at top speed.

The Osprey Rescue team came to Rolf and it was almost two minutes until he recovered consciousness. He was carefully removed and taken to a hospital with his back injury. He is expected to be leaving shortly and heading home. We all wish him a speedy and full recovery and wish him nothing but the best and will be looking forward to seeing his warm personality at the beginning of the next season.

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:

Philippe Stiernon
Press Officer
Philippe@f1boat.com