Formula 1 on Water: Issyk-Kul to Be Seen by 500 Million People Worldwide

Kyrgyzstan will host one of the largest international sporting events this year. For the first time in Central Asia, the UIM F1H2O World Championship in powerboat racing, known as Formula 1 on water, will take place on Issyk-Kul. Organizers note that the competition will help promote the country’s tourism and investment potential on the international arena.

The first stage of the F1H2O World Championship took place on May 29–31 in the Italian city of Cagliari. The next stage will be held in Kyrgyzstan from July 31 to August 2 on Issyk-Kul, after which the races will take place in Shanghai and Jeddah and end in Sharjah. Thus, Kyrgyzstan will host the Grand Prix of Central Asia for the first time.

Earlier, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov met with President of the International Powerboating Union Raffaele Chiullini, where issues of expanding cooperation and holding international competitions in the country were discussed. It was noted that holding the championship stage will increase the recognition of the tourism potential of Issyk-Kul and strengthen the national brand of Kyrgyzstan on the world stage.

Later, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev held a meeting at which he instructed relevant departments to ensure preparations for the competition and emphasized the importance of the tournament for promoting the country at the global level.

25 athletes are expected to participate. The races will be broadcast live in more than 150 countries around the world and will reach a wide international audience. According to preliminary estimates, the event could attract about 10 thousand tourists to Kyrgyzstan.

According to the Director of the State Agency for Tourism Development Eduard Kubatov, the competition is expected to be seen by about 500 million people worldwide. He also reported that direct flights from the Middle East to Tamchy are being organized in connection with the championship.

Kubatov noted that infrastructure improvements are underway in the village of Baet in the Issyk-Kul region. According to him, no major construction is planned; temporary structures will be installed, including stands, TV towers, stages and tents, which will be dismantled after the competition ends.

He added that new infrastructure facilities are being built in the area: about 2 kilometers of roads, lighting systems, a 1,500 square meter parking lot and a modern recreation area on the coast. All work is planned to be completed in July.

After the championship ends, temporary structures will be dismantled and the area will be put in order. Permanent infrastructure facilities will remain for the use of local residents and tourists.

Against the backdrop of preparations for the competition, concerns were previously expressed about possible environmental impact on Issyk-Kul. In this regard, the relevant institution provided clarifications at a press conference at the Kabar news agency, noting that environmental assessments and monitoring had been carried out with the participation of independent organizations and the National Academy of Sciences.

According to Kubatov, the requirements of the Issyk-Kul Biosphere Territory were taken into account, as well as the experience of international competitions. He noted that similar stages have already been held on lakes protected by UNESCO, including Lake Toba in Indonesia.

It is also reported that with successful organization, Kyrgyzstan may secure the annual holding of the championship stage. In a pilot format this year, the races will feature boats with environmentally friendly engines.

Reference: UIM F1H2O has been held since 1981 and is considered the highest class of powerboat racing. The boats can reach speeds of up to 250 km/h, and the championship’s audience worldwide is about 800 million people.