After having very positive results during practise runs and the Pole position run, the Negotiator Team were very optimistic before the finale race in Qatar. It was windy and difficult racing conditions but the team was eager to get points on the first race of the 2008 season.  From their fifth position from start Chris and Bård got an ok start and reached the first buoy as third. 

But then in a speed of 140 mph they unexpected hit some waves very hard and spun and rolled out of the race. Although both men escaped relatively unscathed from their upturned race boat, 2005 World Champion Eker was taken away on a stretcher and treated for racing fuel in his eyes. It was a disappointing end for Negotiator who was running in third place and on course for a podium finish, when Negotiator mysteriously lost power, hooked and then rolled on lap 17 of 20. Later it showed that the racing boat had taking in water during the race and therefore got heavy in the back. But both Chris and Bård are ok and the whole team are looking forward to the next race in Montenegro in May.