Alek Weckström of Victory Team won the Shanghai Grand Prix on 5 October, Gulf Today reported. Stefan Arand finished second, moving to the top of the Formula powerboat world drivers' standings and giving Sharjah a leader in the individual title race.
Only nine boats continued in the Shanghai Grand Prix after the restart.
Arand holds the drivers' lead
Arand has 60 points after the Shanghai round, nine ahead of Trask, who is second with 51. Both Sharjah drivers remain near the top of the individual standings. The team has two contenders in the title fight.
Before the Shanghai round, defending world champion Shaun Torrente led the drivers' standings with 40 points, four ahead of Arand on 36; Trask was fourth on 30. On 4 October, Victory Team won both sprint races, with Weckström taking the first and Torrente the second. The team standings after the sprints were Victory Team 80, Sharjah 69 and Team Abu Dhabi 68.
Sharjah remain second among teams
Sharjah sit second overall, while Arand leads the drivers' standings. General manager Ahmed Issa Al Hosani said the Shanghai results reflected the team's progress. He added that the drivers' front-running places would spur preparations for upcoming rounds.
The Sharjah International Marine Sports Club's international campaign aims to develop powerboat racing and raise the emirate and UAE's profile at international marine events. The local sporting picture also includes Al Nasr's group win in basketball. Shanghai's standings now set Sharjah's immediate challenge.
Arand leads the drivers' standings, and Sharjah sit second among teams. The results give the squad a strong position for the rounds ahead. The standings show Sharjah are in contention, not yet champions. The next test is turning those positions into a title.
