The UIM E1 Lake Maggiore GP was the last round of the world’s first championship series dedicated exclusively to electric powerboat racing. The event saw Team Brady, led by Sam Coleman and Emma Kimiläinen, claim their first win of the season after dominating qualifying and expertly managing the race’s delicate phases, marked by incidents and dramatic twists.
At the core of the competition is the RaceBird, the all-electric raceboat designed by Rodi Basso, CEO and co-founder of the series, and developed in partnership with SeaBird Technologies and Victory Marine. Every team competes using the same model, ensuring a level playing field and placing technology at the heart of race strategy.
Key technical features of the RaceBird
100% Electric Propulsion: Mercury Racing motor powered by Kreisel batteries delivering 150 kW, providing instant power and impressive acceleration.
Integrated Hydrofoil: Titanium foils lift the hull above the water, reducing hydrodynamic drag and enabling speeds of up to 93 km/h (50 knots)—an extreme velocity for an electric boat.
Advanced Materials: The structure is built from carbon fiber and epoxy resin, reinforced with Kevlar and titanium components, ensuring lightness, rigidity, and resilience under racing stress.
Sustainability: Beyond zero-emission propulsion, the RaceBird is designed to be almost entirely recyclable, minimizing environmental impact and promoting a new model of green competition.
The races, each lasting around ten minutes, were characterized by refined tactics: managing electric boost, choosing the right moment for the mandatory “long lap,” and adapting to lake conditions were all decisive factors. Team Brady made the most of these variables, with Coleman and Kimiläinen keeping their cool during the most heated moments, including a collision that led to a red flag and a race restart.
Competition and Innovation: The Main Players
The Italian round’s podium featured, alongside Team Brady, Team Rafa (led by Rafael Nadal) and Team Blue Rising. Iconic teams backed by figures like LeBron James, Will Smith, and Steve Aoki animated the battle for the overall standings. The presence of global sports and entertainment stars underscores E1’s ability to attract worldwide attention and strategic investment for the development of electric mobility on water.
The success of the E1 Lake Maggiore GP confirms that electric powerboating is now a leading technological and sporting reality, combining innovation, sustainability, and spectacle. The RaceBirds serve as floating laboratories for future technologies, while the championship format—with gender parity, short races, and an engaging format—positions itself as a benchmark for global “green” motorsport.
The next round will be in Monaco, where the battle for the title continues, once again bringing the challenge of electric transition to some of the world’s most iconic waters.
