A first competition for the eight teams
The first season of the E1 Series electric foiling world championships kicked off with an inaugural race on the Red Sea. On February 2 and 3, 2024, the eight teams met in Saudi Arabia for the first of 7 championship legs. Each team's owner is a wealthy celebrity capable of financing such a team, in the style of Formula 1 racing.
Each team is made up of two drivers, one male and one female. They are selected after graduating from the E1 Pilot Academy. The selection program is based on a track record of racing success, particularly in motor sports ranging from rallying to jet-skiing.
Points in excess of 50 knots and a tight finish
After Friday's qualifying round, followed by the round of 16, the final took place on Saturday. Teams raced aboard the RaceBird, the first electric racing boat . The futuristic-looking boats feature foils and are capable of speeds in excess of 50 knots.
The final day of the UIM E1 World Championship stage in Jeddah ended with victory for NFL superstar Tom Brady's team. Hailing from Great Britain and Finland, drivers Sam Coleman and Emma Kimiläinen rallied to beat the first day's leaders, Team Miami, owned by singer-songwriter Marc Anthony. With speeds in excess of 50 knots, the show was on for the many spectators. In the end, Brady's team won by 20 seconds. Cricket superstar Virat Kohli's Team Blue Rising took third place on the podium.
Sam Coleman and Emma Kimiläinen were "delighted" to take first place in the first-ever E1 event. Their race time was 6 minutes, 58 seconds, followed by Team Miami at 7 minutes, 17 seconds, with Blue Rising coming in at 7 minutes, 43 seconds.
The next stage takes place in Venice on May 11 and 12, before the final race in Hong Kong on November 9 and 10.
