Salem Al Adidi and Eisa Al Ali arrive at Sunset Beach carrying a 22-point championship advantage, but Team GB remain within striking distance heading into the XCAT World Championship finale on December 12-14.
The Victory Team crew spoke to Powerboat News two days before Race 1 about their confidence, the team’s storied history, and the prospect of delivering Dubai a double world championship alongside Shaun Torrente’s F1H2O title charge.
The 22-Point Cushion
Victory Team hold 130 points against Team GB’s 108 with 70 points available across the Dubai weekend. Each race awards 35 points for victory, 30 for second, 26 for third, 22 for fourth and 18 for fifth.
We are confident because we are leading the first place between us and between the 2nd place, let’s say 22 points. Which is give us a little bit confident.
Al Ali echoed the sentiment.
The 22 is a good gap. And we hope to end this champion on Friday in the first race.
Victory Team could secure the title with third-place finishes in both races. Team GB require victories in both races combined with Victory Team finishing fourth or worse at least once.
Victory Team Legacy
The Dubai-based outfit stands among the most decorated teams in offshore powerboat racing history. Victory Team won eight Class 1 world championships with Arif Al Zaffain between 2007 and 2016.
We are always coming here like to continue the success of Victory team. This is our target always.
Al Zaffain now races against his former team, partnering with Francis Notschaele in the XCAT series.
Technical Development
The Victory Team hull incorporates recent subtle modifications:
The hull is old, but we can say there is a little bit touches on that when they make the new boat.
Discussions about the Mercury APX 360 four-stroke engine have reached XCAT teams, though no decision has been finalised.
I’ve heard about that. Maybe it will be the future of XCAT engine. This is what we heard, but they are still negotiation with the teams and also promoter.
Championship Approach
Victory Team plan methodical execution rather than defensive tactics.
We are always taking race by race and our target to finish the race. Whenever where we are, the result will come. But in the same time, we give all what we have.
Dubai’s Double Championship Dream
Victory Team could deliver the Emirates a remarkable UAE sporting December. Shaun Torrente leads the F1H2O World Championship by 14 points heading into the Sharjah Grand Prix on December 19-21, giving Victory Team representation in both title fights.
It’s an amazing feeling and it will be good. That result what we need actually in Victory Team. Especially this year.
Torrente races for Victory Team in F1H2O although will be racing for the Sharjah Team in XCAT this weekend.
Class 1 Ambitions
Victory Team retain interest in returning to the Class 1 Offshore Championship despite the category’s recent struggles.
I hope to going back to it in the next few years. Class One is a different level. It’s something very amazing. When you see the boats, big boats, the Victory boat is a ‘blue beast on the water’. So of course we need to go back with the Class One and I hope one day we’ll come back.
2026 Plans
Next season’s preparations remain fluid pending engine regulation decisions.
Still we are waiting for if they will change the engine or no. But I think we still we have winter practicing and we will talk after we finish the season.
The Weekend Ahead
Race 1 starts at 15:00 Gulf Standard Time on Friday December 12. Race 2 concludes the championship at 14:30 on Sunday December 14, both at Sunset Beach.
HPI Fujairah Racing Team’s Rosario and Giuseppe Schiano di Cola sit third on 76 points after their Kuwait Race 2 victory, whilst Kuwait 17’s Abdullatif Al Omani and Khalid Ali hold fourth on 66 points. Sharjah Team occupy fifth position on 35 points despite their pole positions and race-leading performances in Kuwait, where engineering failures cost them potential victories.
Victory Team require 52 points from the Dubai weekend to guarantee the title regardless of Team GB’s results. Two third-place finishes deliver exactly that total.
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.
