Shaun Torrente set the fastest time in Dammam, Saudia Arabia of 1:14.36 before the 90 minute qualifying session was cancelled.

America’s Greg Foster who had posted the fifth quickest time of 1:22.81, delaminated his Blaze Performance hull on the third lap and the Red Flag was dropped after 30 minutes.

Foster told Nigel Quilter after:

I was just cruising around and came off the right-hander and heading to turn 5 when the boat nosed down.

It didn’t seem bad and I went through it then all of a sudden the next thing I know there is water coming in all over the side.

UIM race Director Luis Ribeiro explained the decision to cancel the session:

The conditions were getting progressively worse so in the best interests of all the drivers we have stopped the session and will wait to see if the conditions improve.

09:00

With weather conditions worsening, it’s highly unlikely that anything other than a crowd-pleasing parade of boats will be run.

09:29

After the parade lap UIM race Director Luis Ribeiro informed the drivers that the race would not be run.

09:31

The boats are being craned out of the water, they will now be packed up and shipped to Portugal.

Ironically, Portimão will once again host the first round of the UIM F1H2o World Championship.

2019 UIM F1H2o Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia - REBELLION Pole Position