Sharjah: Swedish Jonas Andersson (Boat 1), the current UIM F1H2O World champion, won the Road to Sharjah Grand Prix of Sharjah race on Friday after completing 38 rounds and 78 km on Khalid lagoon. Finnish Sami Selio (Boat 11) came in the second spot trailing after the Swede with an 8.5-second difference, while Bartek Marszalek, from Poland, secured the third spot.

The race is organised by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council, with the participation of 18 racers from around the world.

Through the precious win, the Swede strengthened his chances of securing his UIM F1H2O World champion title with 20 points, placed him 3 points behind Shaun Torrente (Boat 6) from the Abu Dhabi team, who suffered electrical problems and poor engine performance and ended in the 6th spot in the race on Khalid Lagoon.

The Abu Dhabi team received a significant blow, especially with Thani Al Qemzi (Boat 5), who started the race in 9th position and completed it, securing seventh place, which lowered his world championship rank this season to third place with his 59 points, trailing behind Andersson who secured 66 points, while the 1st spot is secured by Torrente's 69 points.

The fierce competition between Al Qemzi, Andersson, and Torrente over the UIM F1H2O World Championship title will continue on Sunday during the season's final competition, the Sharjah Grand Prix of the Middle East.