UAE teams showcased their strength in the sprint events of the F1H2O World Championship’s opening round, with boats from Victory, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah delivering podium finishes against a strong international field of 20 competitors.
In Sprint Race 2, Victory Team excelled as Victory 4, led by Shaun Torrente, claimed first place, followed closely by teammate Alex Wickström in Victory 3. Abu Dhabi 6, driven by Erik Stark, secured third, while Mansoor Al Mansoori in Abu Dhabi 5 finished ninth.
Earlier, in Sprint Race 1, Sharjah 17 with Rost Wid took second place, while Sharjah 18, driven by Stefan Arand, crossed the line in fifth, reinforcing the UAE’s consistent performance across both sprint events.
Attention now shifts to Sunday’s main race, scheduled to begin at 11:15 AM local time (08:15 AM UAE time). UAE boats will start from promising positions: Victory 4 and Victory 3 from second and third, Sharjah 17 from fourth, Abu Dhabi 6 from seventh, Sharjah 18 from ninth, and Abu Dhabi 5 from 18th on the grid.
Defending world champion Jonas Andersson of Sweden will lead the line-up from pole, as competitors prepare to battle over a 2000-meter course for the season’s first set of championship points.
–Input WAM
