Ever heard of F1H2O? F1H2O stands for the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship. This championship is an international motorboat racing competition for powerboats. The Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship is the highest class of inshore powerboat racing in the world. In fact, it is comparable to Formula One car racing. In the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship, each race lasts approximately 45 minutes following a circuit marked out in a selected stretch of water, like a lake, river, dock, or sheltered bay. This year, the powerboats in Portimão are back.
In 2016, and after a five-year break, the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship returns to the Arade River in Portimão between July 29 and 31. The organisation has confirmed that the Grand Prix of Portugal will be moved back to the Algarve after “logistical issues” last year’s event in Porto. Portimão is the third round of the F1H20 World Championship 2016. We’re super excited to have the powerboats in Portimão back as this is a super exciting event!
Lavinia Cavallero, the vice-president of one of the event’s promoters said: “We are glad to be able to maintain an all-important second country location in Europe, thanks to the enormous interest shown and support of the Associação Turismo de Portimão ”. In fact, powerboat racing has a “long-standing tradition in Portugal and a big following countrywide”.
Of all the exciting battles of the powerboats in Portimão, the most notable and well-remembered performance was probably by Norway’s Marit Stromoy. In 2011, the powerwoman Stromoy outpaced her male peers to take pole position. Nevertheless, Stromoy’s hopes of a maiden GP win ended with a dramatic coming together with Shaun Torrente.
Portimão, in the Algarve, was one of the most popular venues for teams and drivers of Formula 1 Powerboats. In fact, the city in the Southwest of Europe has already hosted 13 successful Grand Prix from 1999 to 2011. In 2016, “The return to Portimão will be welcome news to several current team managers and drivers including the sport’s most successful driver – 10-time world champion and now team manager with Abu Dhabi, Guido Cappellini” Laviana added.
The Formula 1 Powerboats in Portimão are known for attracting thousands of people to the town’s riverside area. As such, the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship is of great economical importance for the whole region.
In 2016, the F1H20 World Championship started in Dubai in March. The second stop will take place on July 17th in Evian, France. And then, the next stop of the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship is Portimão in the end of July.
Are you in the Algarve from July 29 to 31? Come to the Arade River and enjoy this spectacular race of the powerboats in Portimão! If you’re looking for a powerboat experience yourself, check out the Jet Boat in Albufeira or the Rocket Boat in Albufeira. Of course the Jet Boat and the Rocket Boat are not the same as F1H2O boats, but they come very nearby to the powerboats in Portimão!
