Victory Team hold a 22-point championship lead heading into the Dubai Grand Prix finale, where two races will determine the 2025 UIM XCAT World Championship. Salem Al Adidi and Eisa Al Ali require just a pair of third-place finishes to claim the title, while Team GB must win both races and hope for Victory Team to falter.
The season concludes at Sunset Beach from December 12-14, with the championship battle reaching its climax on waters where Victory Team extended their points advantage in Kuwait.
Championship Standings
Victory Team lead on 130 points following their consistent performances across the opening rounds. Scott Williams and Martin Campbell sit second on 108 points for Team GB, 22 points adrift with 70 points available across the Dubai weekend.
The Di Cola brothers occupy third on 76 points after their Kuwait Race 2 victory, while Abdullatif Al Omani and Khalid Ali hold fourth on 66 points despite their first-lap elimination in Kuwait’s second race.
Sharjah Team qualified on pole position for both Kuwait races but suffered engineering failures while leading both times, leaving Konstantin Ustinov and Shaun Torrente fifth on 35 points. Sebastian Groth and Mikael Bengtsson complete the top six on 44 points.
Points System
The championship awards 35 points for first place, 30 for second, 26 for third, 22 for fourth, and 18 for fifth in each race.
Victory Team hold a 22-point advantage with two races remaining. Each crew can score a maximum 70 points across the Dubai weekend.
Victory Team’s Path to the Title
Victory Team secure the championship if they finish third or better in both races. Even if Team GB win both races (70 points), Victory Team would reach 182 points with two third-place finishes (130 + 52).
A single victory guarantees the title. Victory Team would reach 165 points, while Team GB’s maximum from the remaining race would be 143 points.
Two second-place finishes would deliver 190 points, comfortably ahead of Team GB’s maximum 178 points.
Team GB’s Championship Requirements
Team GB must win both races to have any realistic chance. Even then, Victory Team need only finish third or better in both races to retain the title.
For Team GB to win the championship, they require victories in both Race 1 and Race 2 (70 points) combined with Victory Team finishing fourth or worse in at least one race.
If Victory Team take third in both races, they accumulate 182 points. Team GB would reach 178 points with two victories, losing by four points.
The mathematics heavily favour Victory Team. Team GB require perfect execution combined with Victory Team suffering uncharacteristic struggles.
Sharjah Team Redemption
Sharjah Team arrive in Dubai seeking redemption. Ustinov and Torrente qualified on pole for both races in Kuwait but retired from the lead in both with engineering problems.
Their pace remained undeniable. The question now centres on whether the technical issues have been resolved ahead of their home race.
Event Schedule
| Session | Local time (GST, UTC+4) | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, December 12 | ||
| Practice | 08:30-10:00 | |
| Pole Position Qualification 1 | 11:00-12:15 | |
| Race 1 | 15:00 | |
| Saturday, December 13 | ||
| Practice | 08:30-10:00 | |
| Pole Position Qualification 2 | 11:00-12:15 | |
| Sunday, December 14 | ||
| Practice | 10:00-11:30 | |
| Race 2 | 14:30 | |
Course and Conditions
The circuit runs offshore from Sunset Beach in front of the Burj Al Arab. December conditions in Dubai typically offer calm waters although there has been a wind getting up every afternoon recently 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. Races run for a maximum one hour plus one lap.
Event Preview
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.
