The 2026 UIM F1H2O World Championship opened on the Gulf of the Angels in Cagliari, Sardinia, on Friday, and defending world champion Shaun Torrente sent an immediate statement of intent across two free practice sessions, only to find Rusty Wyatt waiting for him in the 45-second bracket.
The day had begun with ceremony as much as speed. At the pre-event press conference, H2O Racing founder Nicolo Di San Germano expressed his delight at the championship’s return to Cagliari after an absence of more than two decades. Alongside him sat Scott Gillman, winner of the last Grand Prix held here in 2004, now in his role as Sharjah Team Manager, recalling fond memories of that victory and looking to add new ones from the pitwall.
On the water, it was Stefan Arand who set the early tempo. The Estonian, still carrying the confidence of his Sharjah Grand Prix win at the close of last season, posted a 50.985 in the opening minutes of Free Practice 1 to lead the field.
He would not hold it long. Ben Jelf, who has never threatened the very front of an F1H2O session before, put together a run of strong laps in tough conditions and moved to the top with a 50.618, with most drivers already back in the paddock and only minutes remaining. It looked like Jelf’s moment.
Then Peter Morin came around.
The Frenchman’s final flying lap of 48.930 seconds was nearly two seconds clear of Jelf’s best and put him at the head of Free Practice 1 by a margin that surprised the paddock. Jelf held second, Arand third.
Jelf said:
“It’s been such a long wait since Sharjah last year. In free practice one I got second in the fastest times, some really strong laps. It’s really tough conditions this morning. The course is just sort of ever-changing here. It’s a new challenge, I think, for everybody.”
Free Practice 1
| Pos | Boat | Driver | Laps | Best Lap | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Peter Morin | 17 | 00:48.930 | |
| 2 | 9 | Ben Jelf | 25 | 00:50.618 | +0.01″688 |
| 3 | 18 | Stefan Arand | 9 | 00:50.978 | +0.02″047 |
| 4 | 8 | Brent Dillard | 17 | 00:51.267 | +0.02″337 |
| 5 | 1 | Shaun Torrente | 6 | 00:51.330 | +0.02″400 |
| 6 | 50 | Marit Stromoy | 26 | 00:51.924 | +0.02″994 |
| 7 | 19 | Grant Trask | 9 | 00:52.635 | +0.03″705 |
| 8 | 17 | Rusty Wyatt | 6 | 00:53.812 | +0.04″881 |
| 9 | 5 | Jonas Andersson | 10 | 00:53.933 | +0.05″003 |
| 10 | 6 | Erik Stark | 12 | 00:54.037 | +0.05″107 |
| 11 | 11 | Sami Selio | 2 | 00:54.216 | +0.05″285 |
| 12 | 44 | Alberto Comparato | 6 | 00:54.821 | +0.05″891 |
| 13 | 35 | Rashed Al Qemzi | 10 | 00:55.566 | +0.06″635 |
| 14 | 74 | Alexandre Bourgeot | 19 | 00:56.508 | +0.07″577 |
| 15 | 10 | Duarte Benavente | 3 | 00:56.933 | +0.08″003 |
| 16 | 3 | Alec Weckstrom | 2 | 00:57.015 | +0.08″085 |
| 17 | 73 | Cedric Deguisne | 4 | 01:06.839 | +0.17″908 |
| 18 | 77 | Bartek Marszalek | 16 | 01:14.964 | +0.26″033 |
Free Practice 2 was a different story. Arand again took an early lead, this time with an improved 46.736, the first driver to break the 47-second barrier all weekend. He was overtaken midway through the session by Alberto Comparato, who edged ahead with a 46.464, only for Torrente to arrive and post 46.403.
That was not Torrente’s final word. With 11 minutes remaining he put down a 45.217, the only time under 46 seconds posted all day, and a signal to the rest of the field that the defending champion intends to add a fifth world title to his collection.
With a minute left, Rusty Wyatt arrived. On just his third lap of the session, the Canadian, racing under a UAE licence for the Sharjah Team, crossed the line at 45.683. Second on the timesheet. In the 45s.
Free Practice 2
| Pos | Boat | Driver | Laps | Best Lap | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Shaun Torrente | 8 | 00:45.217 | |
| 2 | 17 | Rusty Wyatt | 3 | 00:45.683 | +0.00″466 |
| 3 | 44 | Alberto Comparato | 11 | 00:46.464 | +0.01″246 |
| 4 | 18 | Stefan Arand | 6 | 00:46.736 | +0.01″519 |
| 5 | 3 | Alec Weckstrom | 14 | 00:46.769 | +0.01″551 |
| 6 | 9 | Ben Jelf | 19 | 00:46.818 | +0.01″600 |
| 7 | 7 | Peter Morin | 22 | 00:46.830 | +0.01″612 |
| 8 | 19 | Grant Trask | 8 | 00:46.922 | +0.01″704 |
| 9 | 6 | Erik Stark | 6 | 00:47.571 | +0.02″354 |
| 10 | 50 | Marit Stromoy | 24 | 00:47.985 | +0.02″767 |
| 11 | 10 | Duarte Benavente | 7 | 00:48.675 | +0.03″458 |
| 12 | 11 | Sami Selio | 3 | 00:49.253 | +0.04″035 |
| 13 | 35 | Rashed Al Qemzi | 1 | 00:49.373 | +0.04″155 |
| 14 | 74 | Alexandre Bourgeot | 13 | 00:50.094 | +0.04″877 |
| 15 | 73 | Cedric Deguisne | 27 | 00:51.592 | +0.06″375 |
| 16 | 5 | Jonas Andersson | 0 | DNS | |
| 17 | 8 | Brent Dillard | 0 | DNS | |
| 18 | 77 | Bartek Marszalek | 0 | DNS |
Cedric Deguisne, adapting to his new Moore hull and Mercury 360 APX 4-stroke engine, completed 27 laps in FP2, more than any other driver in the session, and improved from 01:06.839 in FP1 to 51.592. The work continues.
Qualifying takes place on Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 local time, followed by Sprint Race 1 at 15:05 and Sprint Race 2 at 15:50. The Regione Sardegna Grand Prix of Italy starts at 15:05 on Sunday.
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.
