The Al Sharqiyah Grand Prix 2024 Delivers an Unforgettable Show

The Al Sharqiyah Grand Prix, fourth round of the 2024 UIM XCAT World Championship, produced a thrilling finale that left fans buzzing. Packed with intense moments and high emotions, the event will live on in the memories of those attending.

 

 

The Showdown

Team GB’s Scott Williams and Martin Campbell in Boat #8 had announced the colours from the very beginning in Race one, finishing on top of the ranking ahead of HPI Fujairah Racing Team’s Giuseppe and Rosario Schiano di Cola in boat #96. The two Teams were again ahead of the pack in race two and fought a nail-biting battle for the lead which was eventually won by the British again who realized an impressive “Double”. The third Team on the podium of race two were Consulbrokers’ Italian duo Alfredo Amato and Roberto Lo Piano, who had finished fourth in Race one, behind Team Victory from Dubai.

 

 

A Tough Race Weekend for Some

Previous Champion Arif Al Zaffain in boat #3 had to stay ashore in Race one and technical issues sidelined the Team as of the first round in Race two, while a jump start left previous Champions Giovanni Carpitella and Darren Nicholson in Boat #10 out of Race 1, and technical problems eliminated the team in Race two, after they had completed a few laps. Team Victory experienced a similar fate in Race two after having stepped on the podium of Race one.

 

A Celebration to Remember

The UIM XCAT Race weekend was crowned by a touching podium ceremony with UIM President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli and Saudi dignitaries Thamer Habis, CEO of the Saudi Water Sports & Diving Federation and Ing. Omar Abdullatif, CEO of the Al Sharqiyah Development Authority, awarding the winners, runners-up and third ranked teams.

 

First UIM Powerboating Academy in Saudi Arabia

UIM President Raffaele Chiulli and Ahmed Alblooshi, Chairman of the UIM Youth Development Committee, also inaugurated the first UIM Powerboating Academy in Saudi Arabia. This milestone marks the beginning of a development campaign to train young talent in water sports, which will be followed by the creation of additional Training Centers across the Kingdom.

 

 

Building Partnerships

Dr. Chiulli expressed the International Powerboat Federation’s gratitude to the Saudi authorities for their support and collaboration, highlighting the Kingdom’s commitment to developing water sports. He specifically praised HRH Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman Al Saud and Saudi Minister of Sports, HE Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, for their pivotal role in the event’s success.

 

GP of Dubai to decide the Race for the Championship

Thanks to their second-place finish in both Races held in Saudi Arabia, Team Swecat in Boat #2 have closed the gap in the overall Championship ranking to just 1 point behind the leaders of Giuseppe and Rosario Schiano di Cola of HPI Fujairah Racing Team.

All eyes now turn to Dubai, where the 2024 UIM XCAT World Championship Finale will determine this year’s Title Winners in two races to be held on 14 and 15 December.

Everything is in place for the ultimate Offshore Powerboating spectacle of the 2024 season...!

 


Return to list