In a global sporting event reflecting the Kingdom's growing status as a leading destination for major events, the Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, crowned the "OK Racing Team" yesterday (Saturday) January 24, 2026, with the title of the opening round of the World Electric Powerboat Championship (E1) for the 2026 season. The ceremony was held on the Jeddah waterfront in the presence of high-level attendees including the Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal, the Governor of Jeddah, Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, and the guest of honor, Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Details of the crowning and first places
The duo of Spaniard Dani Clos and Jamaican Sara Messer led Team OK Racing to victory, securing first place after a fierce competition. In the remaining results, Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman, President of the Saudi Arabian Maritime Sports and Diving Federation, presented the runner-up trophy to Team Brady, led by Briton Sam Coleman and Finnish Emma Kämilainen. Team Al-Ula finished third, with its representatives, Canadian Rusty Wyatt and Spaniard Nerea Martí, accepting the award from Sophie Horne, CEO of SeaBird Technologies. Team OK also received the Manufacturers' Cup, presented by Alejandro Agag, founder of the series.
The importance of the championship and the revolutionary RaceBird technology
The E1 Championship holds special significance as the world's first all-electric powerboat racing series, featuring RaceBird's advanced hydrofoil boats that lift the vessel above the water's surface, reducing friction and increasing efficiency and speed. Jeddah's hosting of this inaugural round underscores the Kingdom's commitment to adopting clean future technologies. This championship serves as a platform to promote innovation in sustainable maritime transport, aligning with global trends to reduce carbon emissions and protect the marine environment.
Jeddah: A global destination for sustainable sports
Organizing this event in partnership with the Public Investment Fund and under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, it reinforces the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Hosting clean energy-powered championships like E1, in addition to the previously held Formula E, solidifies the concept of environmental sustainability within the sports sector. These events also contribute to boosting sports tourism in Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea, and attracting international attention to the immense potential of Saudi Arabia's coastline as a global hub for marine sports.
Championship standings and upcoming matches
With the conclusion of the Jeddah round, OK Racing Team leads the overall standings for the eight-round season, followed by Brady and Al-Ula. Attention now turns to Europe, where the picturesque Lake Como in Italy is scheduled to host the second round on April 24th and 25th, with expectations of heightened competition among the participating teams.
