Sharjah World Championship Week 2025: UIM F1H2O Grand Prix Concludes Thrilling Season

The "Sharjah World Championship Week" is set to host the final round of the UIM F1H2O World Championship, known as the "Grand Prix of Sharjah," in its 24th edition. This event, organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), will take place from December 19th to 21st. It will conclude the thrilling season by determining the world champions for both drivers and teams for the 2025 season.

The championship's final round will occur at Sharjah’s Khalid Lagoon, attracting elite drivers from around the globe. This event is part of the "Sharjah World Championships Week," which draws top powerboat racing champions. The competition is renowned as one of the most significant events in its category worldwide.

Several UAE teams are competing for this year's championship title. The Victory Team, under Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), leads among teams with Ahmed Al Fahim, Alec Weckstrom, and Shaun Torrente, who tops individual standings. The Sharjah Team, under Sharjah International Marine Sports Club (SIMSC), ranks second in team performance with Canadian Rusty Wyatt, Estonian Stefan Arand, and Finnish Filip Roms. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Team under Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club (ADMSC) ranks fifth with Rashid Al Qamzi, Mansoor Al Mansoori, and Erik Stark.

A press conference on December 19 at Hotel Holiday International in Sharjah will reveal race details. Attendees include Khalid Jasim Al Midfa from SCTDA and Nicolo Di San Germano, UIM F1 H2O promoter. Drivers from UAE teams like Shaun Torrente from Victory Team and Rusty Wyatt from Sharjah Team will also be present.

The "Sharjah Grand Prix" schedule begins on December 18 with an environmental initiative: a tree plantation campaign to reduce carbon emissions organised by SCTDA alongside the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah. On December 19, activities include team registration from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, a press conference from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at Hotel Holiday International – Sharjah to announce event details, technical scrutineering from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, followed by free practice sessions from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

On December 20, drivers will attend a briefing from 8:30 to 9:00 AM before qualifications begin at 9:30 AM. Sprint races follow in the afternoon with prize-giving ceremonies concluding the day. The main event on December 21 includes a warm-up session at 10:00 AM and culminates with the "ROAD TO SHARJAH - GRAND PRIX OF SHARJAH" race starting at 3:05 PM.

The circuit for the "Grand Prix of Sharjah" is located at Khalid Lagoon. It features a lap length of 2,057 meters with five turns marked by four red buoys and one yellow buoy. Up to 22 boats can participate on this track where the longest straight line measures 585 meters parallel to Khalid Lake Corniche while the shortest is between first and second turns at just over half that distance.

Previous Year's Highlights

The previous year's edition saw intense competition among top global drivers during its conclusion in late December last year (2024). Jonas Andersson of Team Vietnam secured first place driving boat number one while Swedish driver Erik Stark representing Team Victory finished second using boat number four; Canadian racer Rusty Wyatt took third position piloting boat number seventeen for Team Sharjah.

The F1H2O World Championship stands out as one of marine sports' most prestigious events worldwide due largely due not only because it showcases exceptional skill but also offers thrilling entertainment throughout each stage—from roaring engines through sharp turns requiring precision until final award ceremonies bring excitement full circle once more!

With inputs from WAM