The inaugural season of the UIM E1 World Championship reached its penultimate stage this weekend with a series of thrilling electric powerboat races on Lake Como. Hollywood actor Will Smith’s Westbrook Racing claimed their first-ever overall victory in a fiercely competitive event that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
The fifth leg of the inaugural UIM E1 World Championship played out on the serene waters of Lake Como in northern Italy on 24th August with many of the teams’ big backers watching on.
Indeed, it was the first stage of the series that Hollywood actor Will Smith was able to attend in person and it was a well-timed appearance: his team, made up of pilots Lucas Ordóñez and Sara Price, took their maiden victory after some serious jostling with Rafael Nadal’s Team Rafa.
The top-seeded Team Brady, owned by American NFL star Tom Brady, had pole position going into the race, but couldn’t hold on during the two-heat finals event.
Westbrook’s Ordóñez dominated the first race, while Team Rafa’s Tom Ciappe claimed victory in the second. In the end, however, the total points generated by Westbrook were enough to earn the team their first-ever outright victory, putting an undeniable smile on Smith’s face.
“I FaceTimed with Tom Brady just before the race and told him my entire childhood was spent with him beating my team, and I was like, it’s not going to happen out here today,” said the actor after the event. “This is so much fun, the energy of it, the people and all the teams. I love it, we’re having a ball.”
Team Brady, who won in Monaco, retain their first place in the overall rankings, with Westbrook Racing in second, followed by Team Miami powered by Magnus.
HOSTED BY VILLA D’ESTE
The Lake Como stage was hosted by the iconic Villa d’Este, a location that impressed not only the spectators but also Rodi Basso, CEO and co-founder of E1.
“From having two of the world’s biggest superstars in Will Smith and Rafa Nadal here, to our stunning setting at the world-renowned hotel Villa d’Este, to a weekend of unpredictable racing—no one in the world is doing what E1 is doing right now,” he shared. “Lake Como, a true Italian wonder, has provided the most beautiful backdrop to this event. The weekend has been electrifying with jeopardy at every turn—we’re creating a new sport that continues to amaze and excite, and believe us, this is just the beginning.”
Listen to: Podcast: Rodi Basso, Co-Founder and CEO of E1
ECO-APPEAL
The UIM E1 World Championship is in its first year, but has already garnered a growing following, due in part to the excitement surrounding powerboat racing in general. However, the environmental aspect has been just as big a draw. All boats are electric, clean-running and committed to embodying a sustainable ethos.
The race organisers promote leaving “a lasting positive imprint on host cities”, with a focus on coastal restoration and educational outreach programmes that they hope will inspire generations to come.
For example, in Lake Como, they formed a collaboration with FC Como Women to further conversations around women’s roles in sport through panel talks in the Championship’s Ocean Club.
Additionally, a strategic partnership with the local non-profit organisation Cometa resulted in E1 hosting a charity raffle to raise funds for their work in children’s education.
The series has only one more race to go, with the location yet to be announced.
For more on the UIM E1 World Championship series and to follow the races, click here.
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Main photo credit: Marta Rovatti Studihrad / Spacesuit Media