The UIM F1H2O World Championship makes its first appearance in Central Asia this summer, when the Grand Prix of Kyrgyzstan takes over Lake Issyk-Kul from July 31 to August 2. It is round two of the 2026 season, following the opener in Cagliari, and it will be the highest-altitude race in the championship’s history at 1,607 metres above sea level.
The circuit sits off the village of Baet, on the Cholpon-Ata shoreline of Issyk-Kul, one of the largest alpine lakes in the world. Tickets are on sale now via iTicket.kg, with Fan Zone passes starting from $100 for a single day.
What Spectators Will See
F1H2O tunnel boats are single-pilot, closed-cockpit catamarans capable of speeds up to 250 km/h. More than 20 pilots from around the world will race on a 1,929-metre circuit marked by seven buoys, set against the Tian Shan mountain backdrop.
Organisers expect more than 10,000 spectators over the weekend, with the event broadcast in over 40 countries. Alongside the racing, the weekend includes JetSurf and aquabike exhibitions, two-seater promotional rides on the F1H2O boats, and a concert programme running through both race days.
Timetable
| Friday, July 31 | ||
| Free Practice 1 | 2:30 PM KGT | |
| Free Practice 2 | 4:30 PM KGT | |
| Saturday, August 1 | ||
| Qualification | 10:00 AM KGT | |
| Two-Seater Rides | 11:30 AM KGT | |
| Parade Lap, Sprint Race 1 | 2:50 PM KGT | |
| Sprint Race 1 | 3:05 PM KGT | |
| Parade Lap, Sprint Race 2 | 3:35 PM KGT | |
| Sprint Race 2 | 3:50 PM KGT | |
| Prize Giving, Sprint Races | 4:15 PM KGT | |
| Two-Seater Rides | 4:30 PM KGT | |
| Sunday, August 2 | ||
| Warm-Up | 10:00 AM KGT | |
| Two-Seater Rides | 12:30 PM KGT | |
| F1H2O Parade Lap | 2:50 PM KGT | |
| F1H2O Grand Prix of Kyrgyzstan, Main Race | 3:05 PM KGT | |
| Prize Giving Ceremony | 3:50 PM KGT | |
All times Kyrgyzstan Time (KGT, UTC+6). Kyrgyzstan does not observe daylight saving.
Venue and Practical Information
The race site is on the Issyk-Kul shoreline near the village of Baet, close to Cholpon-Ata in the north of the lake. The full circuit and venue infrastructure, including new roads, parking and lighting, were built specifically for the event.
Tickets are sold in two tiers. Fan Zone passes cover the branded fan area, big screens, food court access and the entertainment programme, priced from $100 for one day or $200 for all three. VIP packages range from VIP Chaika (from $200 per day) through VIP Gold (from $300 per day) to VIP Platinum (from $500 per day), each offering different levels of trackside access, lounge space and catering. Outside food and drink are not permitted on site.
The event has drawn some environmental criticism, with a Change.org petition calling for the race to be relocated or run on electric boats, citing Issyk-Kul’s status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Kyrgyz officials say the $5 million event budget is funded entirely by the Federation of Water Motor Sports rather than the state, and that independent ecological assessments found no significant impact on the lake. Full background on that debate is covered in PBN’s report on the petition and the budget confirmation story.
UIM F1H2O World Championship Coverage
Full results, championship standings, driver profiles and event previews.
All UIM F1H2O Coverage
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
