8 teams owned by stars including Tom Brady, Rafa Nadal and Didier Drogba will race on the Red Sea on Feb. 2 and 3 JEDDAH: The first race of the Union Internationale Motonautique E1 World Championship takes place today with 16 drivers from eight teams primed for the waters of the Red Sea in their electric RaceBird boats. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The two-day championship will see the teams, each led by a celebrity from the world of sports and entertainment, use identical boats that utilize hydrofoil technology. The teams will tackle tight, technical circuits in seven knockout stages, with boats reaching speeds of up to 98 kph. The teams include Saudi Arabia-backed Aoki Racing owned by Steve Aoki, with Saud Ahmed and Mashael Al-Obaidan as the pilots. Other teams are owned by American football legend Tom Brady, tennis star Rafael Nadal and former Ivory Coast and Chelsea star Didier Drogba. “The UIM E1 World Championship was established to create a new, exciting and competitive on-water racing platform based on electric technologies to protect and restore our urban waters and coastal areas,” said Rodi Basso, co-founder and CEO of UIM E1 World Championship, during a press conference on Thursday. Also present was Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman Al-Saud, chairman of the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation. “Hosting the world’s first all-electric race boat championship here in Jeddah is a proud moment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Prince Sultan. “It underscores our dedication to environmental stewardship and our ambition to set a global benchmark in sustainable water sports. “The E1 World Championship embodies the synergy between technological advancement and ecological responsibility, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030 to create a future where our maritime activities are in harmony with nature.” “As we welcome the E1 World Championship to Jeddah waterfront, we are not merely hosting a race, but racing towards change. This event represents innovation, speed and sustainability, mirroring the transformative journey Saudi Arabia is on.” He added: “We are also pleased with the participation of a Saudi team in this championship, following the strategic partnership with Aoki Racing.” Basso said it was “difficult to put into words the immense pride” he was feeling as the teams gathered in Jeddah. “What began as a dream for me has indeed now become a reality, and I can’t wait for you to see our iconic RaceBirds in action throughout the week,” he said. “This event is the culmination of the hard work of many hundreds of people over many years, and I thank them all for being part of E1’s journey. “E1 is truly a championship like no other, and over the coming months the team can’t wait to share it with the world. From our talented pilots to our globally recognized and accomplished team owners through to our stunning race locations, there is so much for us to celebrate and for you to enjoy.” Basso added: “This event could not have taken place without our brilliant, supportive championship partners and our esteemed co-hosts, the Saudi Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation, and I thank them for making the event the outstanding spectacle it promises to be. We will always have fond memories of Jeddah as the place where E1 began. I hope you enjoy the weekend.” The team’s Saudi Arabia pilots, Ahmed and Al-Obaidan, are eager to compete in a home race. Speaking to Arab News, Al-Obaidan, the Saudi Arabia rally driver who was named as the lead pilot of Aoki Racing, said: “E1 is a very exciting race and I am looking forward to the next few days to race the flying bird and represent Saudi Arabia.” Co-pilot Ahmed added: “The dream has come true for me and I am so proud to be one of the pilots who will be riding those E birds.” The series will move to Venice on May 11 and 12.