Ever seen speed, stars and strategy collide on water? Anchor your binoculars, because Monaco delivered exactly that! This weekend, on the shimmering harbours of the Principality, Team Blue Rising, backed by cricket legend Virat Kohli, claimed their first-ever E1 race victory. Talk about debut flash!
Drama Before the Show
Friday’s qualifying session started sun-kissed and calm… until a dramatic mid-water clash between Team Rafa (pilot Tom Chiappe) and Team Brazil. The collision brought the session to an unprecedented red flag halt. Chiappe swam to safety, Rafael Nadal, in the stands, later described the incident as “scary,” though thankfully without injury .
Rough Seas & Celebrity Cameos
Saturday’s conditions were feistier, gusty winds and choppy seas set the perfect high-stakes stage. Dressed in royal azure, Kohli cheered his squad on from the quay alongside other A-listers: LeBron James, Tom Brady, Marc Anthony, Didier Drogba,
Race Day Twist
The final became an electrifying tug-of-war. Team Brady held early control, Team Brazil lurked in the hunt, but it was John Peeters and Sara Misir of Blue Rising who pulled a well-timed move, storming past both challengers to snatch victory . Misir laughed, “We went almost until the sun!”and Peeters earned “PIF Pilot of the Race” honours.
Aftershocks in the Standings
A single point separates Team Brady and Team Rafa, while Blue Rising lurks ominously not too far behind.
What Makes This So Electrifying?
Celebrity firepower; big names aren’t just watching, they’re in the mix. Electric foiling boats, lap strategies, and tactical gambits made for high drama. And there is a sustainability spectacle: Monaco’s eco-focused yachting scene adds a green stripe to the glamour.
E1 Chairman Alejandro Agag is enthused about the racing here in Monaco. It has been some of the most spectacular E1 has witnessed… redefining racing on water and setting a new precedent in sport. And Virat? His tweet said it all: “Team Blue Rising clinch their first ever E1 Series win in Monaco! Congratulations to the whole team!”
The E1 Monaco race weekend coincided with the 20th anniversary celebration of Prince Albert II’s reign, and his well-known advocacy for marine conservation chimed perfectly with the event’s sustainability mission.
