The XCAT World Championship concludes at Sunset Beach this weekend with all sessions broadcast live on YouTube as Victory Team’s 22-point advantage faces its final test against Team GB.
Salem Al Adidi and Eisa Al Ali hold 130 points heading into the Dubai finale, whilst Scott Williams and Martin Campbell trail on 108 points with 70 points available across two races.
What’s at Stake
Victory Team secure the world championship with third-place finishes in both races. Even if Team GB win both races for maximum points, Victory Team would reach 182 points with two third-place finishes against Team GB’s 178 points.
Team GB require victories in both Race 1 and Race 2 combined with Victory Team finishing fourth or worse at least once. The mathematics heavily favour the Dubai-based crew.
How to Watch
All qualifying sessions and races stream live on the XCAT World Championship YouTube channel. Coverage includes onboard cameras, race commentary and live timing.
Friday 12 December
Pole Position 1 – 11:00 GST (07:00 UTC)
Race 1 – 15:00 GST (11:00 UTC)
Saturday 13 December
Pole Position 2 – 11:00 GST (07:00 UTC)
Sunday 14 December
Race 2 – 14:30 GST (10:30 UTC)
Full Weekend Schedule
| Session | Local time (GST, UTC+4) | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 12 December | ||
| Official Practice | 08:30-10:00 | 08:30-10:00 |
| Pole Position (Q1) | 11:00-12:15 | 11:00-12:15 |
| Race 1 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
| Saturday 13 December | ||
| Official Practice | 08:30-10:00 | 08:30-10:00 |
| Pole Position (Q2) | 11:00-12:15 | 11:00-12:15 |
| Sunday 14 December | ||
| Official Practice | 10:00-11:30 | 10:00-11:30 |
| Race 2 | 14:30 | 14:30 |
Championship Standings
Victory Team lead on 130 points following their consistent performances at Fujairah and Kuwait. The crew finished second in both Kuwait races whilst Team GB claimed victory in Kuwait Race 1.
Team GB hold second position on 108 points after their Kuwait victory and second-place finish. The defending champions remain mathematically in contention but require perfect execution combined with Victory Team struggles.
HPI Fujairah Racing Team’s Rosario and Giuseppe Schiano di Cola sit third on 76 points following their Kuwait Race 2 victory. Kuwait 17’s Abdullatif Al Omani and Khalid Ali occupy fourth on 66 points.
Sharjah Team hold fifth position on 35 points despite qualifying on pole for both Kuwait races. Konstantin Ustinov and three-time F1H2O world champion Shaun Torrente led both races before engineering failures forced their retirement.
Points System
Each race awards 35 points for victory, 30 for second, 26 for third, 22 for fourth and 18 for fifth. Qualifying awards additional points for the top three positions.
Victory Team require 52 points across the weekend to guarantee the title regardless of other results. Two third-place finishes deliver exactly that total, reaching 182 points against Team GB’s maximum 178 points.
Dubai Double
The Emirates could celebrate two world championships within a week. Shaun Torrente leads the F1H2O World Championship by 14 points heading into the Sharjah Grand Prix on December 19-21, racing for Victory Team in circuit racing whilst competing for Sharjah Team in XCAT.
Torrente qualified on pole for both Kuwait XCAT races and led both before technical issues ended his challenge. The American driver seeks redemption on home waters whilst chasing his fourth F1H2O world title the following weekend.
The Venue
The circuit runs offshore from Sunset Beach in front of the Burj Al Arab. December conditions typically offer calm waters and temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius, providing ideal racing conditions for the season finale.
Each race covers a minimum 50 nautical miles with laps measuring at least three nautical miles. The course layout features technical sections alongside high-speed straights where the boats exceed 200 km/h.
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.
