Tomorrow, Friday, the eyes of marine sports and sustainable technology enthusiasts will turn to Jeddah, as its stunning shores host the opening round of the E1 Electric Powerboat World Championship. This historic event marks a new dawn in the world of powerboat racing. The two-day competition is meticulously organized by the Saudi Arabian Maritime Sports and Diving Federation, in cooperation with the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), under the auspices of the Ministry of Sport, and with a strategic partnership from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), reflecting the great importance the Kingdom places on this global event.
Historical context and future vision
The Kingdom's hosting of this championship for the third time is part of a broader strategy aimed at establishing itself as a leading global destination for major sporting events, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Following its success in attracting world-class events such as Formula 1 races, the Dakar Rally, and world boxing championships, the Kingdom is now making a strong entry into the world of sustainable marine sports. The E1 Championship is not just a race; it is a platform to showcase the latest environmentally friendly technologies. All teams use fully electric RaceBird boats, which feature a revolutionary design and the ability to "fly" above the water's surface using hydrofoil technology, reducing friction and enhancing efficiency and speed to unprecedented levels.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
Internationally, this tournament positions Saudi Arabia at the forefront of countries supporting innovation and the transition to clean energy in the sports and entertainment sector. The participation of a host of global figures as team owners, such as tennis legend Rafael Nadal, American football star Tom Brady, basketball icon LeBron James, and global actor Will Smith, gives the tournament tremendous media attention and draws widespread international interest to Jeddah and the Kingdom. Locally, the event contributes to boosting sports tourism in Jeddah, the "Bride of the Red Sea," and inspires a new generation of young Saudis to take an interest in marine sports, engineering, and sustainable technologies.
Competition details and participating teams
The qualifying rounds begin on Friday to determine the starting positions for the main race, the Jeddah Grand Prix, which will take place on Saturday. Ten international teams are participating in the championship, which employs a unique system requiring each team to have a male and female skipper who alternate piloting the boat, thus promoting diversity and equality in the sport. The lineup includes prominent names such as Team Al-Ula, Sierra Racing Club, Team Miami sponsored by Marc Anthony, and Team Drogba Global Africa, led by Didier Drogba, promising fierce and exciting competition on the waters of the Red Sea. The Jeddah round is the first stop in a packed season of eight rounds that will take place in major global cities such as Monaco, Venice, and Miami, before the season concludes in the Bahamas.
