Victory Team extended their world championship lead with a commanding victory in Race 1 of the Kuwait Grand Prix XCAT, Salem Al Adidi and Eisa Al Ali completing 13 laps in 33:13.65 to finish more than a minute ahead of the home team.
Kuwait 17, driven by Abdullatif Al Omani and Khalid Ali, claimed second place 1:06.06 behind the Emirati winners. Team GB’s Scott Williams and Martin Campbell secured third position, finishing 1:20.65 off the lead.
Sharjah Retirement Opens Door for Victory Team
Sharjah 9, crewed by Mikhail Kitashev and three-time F1H2O world champion Shaun Torrente, claimed pole position ahead of the race. The Emirati team’s qualifying performance put them in prime position for victory.
The race transformed when Sharjah 9 retired with technical problems after completing eight laps.
Al Adidi and Al Ali seized the opportunity to control the race from the front, maintaining their advantage throughout the 13-lap contest.
Multiple Retirements Hit Kuwait Field
Swecat 2’s Sebastian Groth and Mikael Bengtsson completed 12 laps to finish fourth, one lap down on the leaders.
Mate USA 16 drivers Giampaolo Montavoci and Alberto Huober finished two laps behind in fifth position after completing 11 laps.
Technical failures eliminated several front-runners. Faz Marine 3, crewed by Arif Al Zaffain and Francis Notschaele, retired after five laps. Energy 55 and HPI Fujairah Racing Team both completed just four laps before retiring.
Victory Team 33 did not start the race.
Championship Standings
Pos |
Team |
Driver 1 |
Driver 2 |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Victory Team 7 |
Salem Al Adidi |
Eisa Al Ali |
100 |
2 |
Team GB 8 |
Scott Williams |
Martin Campbell |
82 |
3 |
Kuwait 17 |
Abdullatif Al Omani |
Khalid Ali |
66 |
4 |
Swecat 2 |
Sebastian Groth |
Mikael Bengtsson |
44 |
5 |
HPI Fujairah Racing Team 96 |
Rosario Schiano Di Cola |
Joseph Schiano Di Cola |
41 |
6 |
Sharjah Team 9 |
Mikhail Kitashev |
Shaun Torrente |
35 |
7 |
Energima Racing 55 |
Erik Sundblad Johansen |
Marit Strømøy |
34 |
8 |
Mate USA 16 |
Giampaolo Montavoci |
Alberto Huober |
18 |
9 |
Blue Bank 20 |
Serafino Barlesi |
Andrea Comello |
0 |
10 |
Faz Marine 3 |
Arif Al Zaffain |
Francis Notschaele |
0 |
Victory Team hold an 18-point advantage over Team GB heading into Saturday’s Race 2. The Dubai International Marine Club squad became the first team to reach the century mark following their 35-point haul for the race win.
Team GB’s third-place finish keeps Scott Williams and Martin Campbell within striking distance. Kuwait 17’s strong home showing lifted Abdullatif Al Omani and Khalid Ali into third place, three points ahead of Swecat 2.
Defending world champions Rosario and Joseph Schiano Di Cola sit fifth on 41 points for HPI Fujairah Racing Team, whilst Sharjah Team’s retirement dropped them to sixth despite their strong practice performance.
Kuwait Programme Continues
Friday’s schedule features the Speed CAT Run, a one-kilometre drag race that awards no world championship points. Winners progress to subsequent rounds in a separate competition format.
Race 2 takes place on Saturday in the penultimate round of the 2025 UIM XCAT World Championship. The season concludes with the Dubai finale on 12 December.
John Moore’s 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 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
