Hong Kong set to be the stage for UIM E1 boat racing climax, 2024-2026

Friday, January 5, 2024

Launching the first-ever all-electric UIM E1 World Championship boat race series, the E1 Hong Kong Grand Prix will be its grand finale from 2024-2026.

In a groundbreaking move, the inaugural UIM E1 World Championship, the world’s premier all-electric race boat tournament, is set to conclude its first three seasons with the E1 Hong Kong Grand Prix. This prestigious event will be held from 2024 to 2026, marking a significant collaboration between the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau’s Tourism Commission and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). Funded under the 2023-24 Budget, this initiative aims to draw major events with substantial tourism and promotional impact to Hong Kong.

This championship, unique for its electric race boat format and endorsed by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), represents a significant stride in promoting sustainable technologies in competitive water racing. As the sole host in East Asia for its first season, Hong Kong will host ten teams of skilled pilots on November 9 and 10, 2024, following six international stages in Europe and the Middle East. The E1 Hong Kong Grand Prix is set to be a major draw, attracting a global audience to Victoria Harbour’s stunning backdrop.

Mr. Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Hong Kong SAR Government, expressed his enthusiasm for the E1 World Championship’s debut in Hong Kong in 2024, praising the city’s status as a globally recognized event hub and a top tourist destination.

Dr. Pang Yiu-kai, Chairman of HKTB, shared Mr. Yeung’s excitement about hosting the championship’s thrilling conclusion. He emphasized the opportunity to showcase Hong Kong’s dynamic spirit and its iconic skyline, alongside efforts to promote the city on a global scale.

Mr. Alejandro Agag, Chairman and co-founder of E1, commended Hong Kong as an ideal location for the final races of the championship’s first three seasons. He highlighted Hong Kong’s exceptional facilities and global connectivity as key factors in enhancing the experience for participants and spectators, and in establishing E1 as a premier sporting event.

The first season of the UIM E1 World Championship in 2024 will feature seven riveting races across various global cities, including Jeddah, Venice, Puerto Banús, Geneva, Monaco, and Rotterdam, culminating in the grand finale in Hong Kong. The championship will feature up to 10 teams, with 20 male and female pilots competing in electric E1 raceboats across iconic urban landscapes and challenging circuits. Notably, E1’s teams boast ownership by renowned figures from diverse fields, ranging from sports icons like Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, and Virat Kohli to entertainment luminaries like Steve Aoki and Marc Anthony.

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