The first day of the second leg of the 2023 UIM XCAT World Championship—the World Powerboating Championship organized by OPTA—certainly did not disappoint. For the first time ever, Italy's Porto degli Argonauti and Basilicata played host to the Championship.

Race 1 saw absolute domination by UAE team Fazza. The catamaran, helmed by Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi, led Saturday morning's time trials, taking pole position by setting a timed lap of 2.35.453. Second place on the grid went to 222 Offshore, the Italian-Australian team composed of Giovanni Carpitella and Darren Nicholson. Yet another flattering placing for the Neapolitan HPI Racing Team, led by Rosario and Giuseppe Schiano Di Cola, who took third place ahead of Consulbrokers, the catamaran led by Alfredo Amato and Luca Betti.

The race served as a testament to Fazza’s superiority, leading from the first buoys, and maintaining a considerable margin until the checkered flag, followed by 222 Offshore and HPI Racing Team, making up the rest of the podium. Behind the top three were the excellent Q8 Oils, the Kuwaiti catamaran, led by Abdullatif Al Omani and Bader Al Dousari—which, compared to the starting positions, were able to undermine Consulbrokers after an exciting duel that saw the two boats in the lead until the last corner. Amato and Betti had to settle for fifth position, not without some regrets.

The UIM XCAT World Championship ranking now sees Team GB in the lead, ahead of HPI Racing Team and Fazza, but the situation remains extremely fluid.

Full results can be found in x-cat.racing.

Story and photos courtesty UIM XCAT World Championship

‍