Swedish skipper Jonas Andersson dominates Grand Prix of Sharjah qualifiers

In a dazzling display of skill and speed, Jonas Andersson, the reigning UIM F1H2O World Champion from Sweden, claimed victory in the intense BRM Qualifications F1H2O, securing the fastest time in the gripping qualifiers for the “Grand Prix of Sharjah” at Khalid Lagoon.

This thrilling event unfolded on Saturday as part of the 22nd edition of the UIM F1H2O World Championship, graced by the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council.

Andersson’s triumph, marking his second world title of the season, solidifies his standing as a powerhouse in powerboat racing. The coveted “BRM” Pole Position Trophy, presented to the driver who clinches the most pole positions in the season, now rightfully belongs to him.

Maintaining an impressive 13-point lead in the season standings with 82 points, Andersson stands ahead of the formidable defending champion, American Sean Torrente of Team Abu Dhabi (Boat 1).

Piloting Boat 14, Andersson showcased unparalleled prowess, navigating the challenging 2.05km course with precision and speed. Clocking in at a blistering 45.727 seconds, he secured pole position for the main race scheduled to kick off tomorrow, leaving Torrente in second place by a slim margin of 0.00”106 seconds. The third spot went to Andersson’s Team Sweden teammate, Finnish driver Kalle Viippo, steering Boat 15, with a recorded time of 46.603 seconds.

Expressing his joy, Andersson remarked, “We are thrilled with the success we achieved and securing the Best Time title in the Sharjah qualifiers. Despite the numerous challenges faced during the race, our technical team demonstrated remarkable resilience, swiftly addressing issues and fine-tuning the boat to perfection”.

As the stage is set for the “Grand Prix of Sharjah”, Andersson conveyed his hopes of avoiding mechanical setbacks and reiterated his commitment to defending his title in the prestigious event that crowned him champion in the previous season.

He added, “We succeeded in locking the perfect setup for the boat, and we were extremely fortunate in our ability to handle unforeseen mechanical issues. The expertise of our technicians and engineers in discovering the ideal tuning proved fruitful, not only in securing the first-place position but also in the outstanding performance of my teammate Viippo, who clinched the third position”.

The Swedish skipper concluded, “I hope to steer clear of any mechanical issues that may impact the boat’s performance, disabling me from defending my title in the “Grand Prix of Sharjah”, where I was crowned champion last year.”