For the first time, the world water competitions will take place in Albania. The event will take place in Pogradec Lake in July next year. From July 1-7, 2024, Pogradec will host the world Formula One, H2O races with jet skis and speedboats.
The representatives of these competitions have signed a cooperation contract with the mayor of Pogradec, Ilir Xhakolli. Kris Spaho, representative of F1 in Albania, said that this is the biggest sports and tourism event that is organized for the first time in our country, where 43 teams will participate together with the support staff, which will bring about 600 people from all over the world.
Good morning and with FORMULA 1 of the world water races, which comes to Pogradec in July 2024, as a precursor to FORMULA 1 in car races, which will come to Elbasan in a few years, when we have completed the circuit, passed all the tests wanted, I wish you all a nice day! 43 teams from all over the world will make Pogradec the world’s capital of water sports for 7 days, because Touristic Albania has already risen to a new level”
Edi Rama, Albania’s Prime Minister
What is F1 H2O?
The UIM F1H2O World Championship is the ‘flagship’ international series of single-seater inshore circuit powerboat racing. Highly competitive, intensely challenging, risky and entertaining, the F1H2O World Championship is the ultimate adrenalin rush and is regarded as one of the most spectacular and exciting sports in the world. The series attracts up to 20 of the world’s leading drivers and is a sport that has to be seen to be believed as these diminutive tunnel-hull catamarans enter hairpin turns at over 90mph and top 140mph on the straights.
Picture the scene; 18 to 20 sleek, powerful and lightweight catamarans lining up on the start pontoon. Inside each cockpit sits a lone individual peering through a tiny windscreen. One hand grasps the steering wheel, the other poised over the start button. The tension inside the cockpit is intense as the drivers wait for the crucial start. Beyond the cockpit, an eerie silence descends over the entire arena, all attention fixed on the start.
No sooner does the wait end when 10,000hp of highly tuned brute power bursts into life sending the fleet screaming towards the first corner leaving nothing but a glorious fountain of white spray in its wake.
