Edited July 29, 2025
Content by Powerboat & RIB
The UIM E1 World Championship returned to its roots with a striking debut on the Thames. The E1 London Showrun held on 2nd July 2025, presented by Bombay Sapphire, treated Londoners to an early-morning display as electric RaceBirds glided past Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament.
The idea for the world’s first all-electric raceboat series was born here, during a socially distanced run by founders Alejandro Agag and Rodi Basso. With support from the Port of London Authority, the Showrun highlighted E1’s ambition to aid the Thames’ shift towards decarbonisation.
Backed by names such as Rafael Nadal, Tom Brady and Didier Drogba, the championship features nine teams racing across four continents in specially designed RaceBirds. These electric boats use hydrofoil technology to rise above the water at speed, combining clean propulsion with innovative design.
I’m humbled by this full-circle moment…..Below the surface of E1’s adrenaline-fuelled electric racing series lies a mission to promote the restoration and protecting of our coastal waters and ecosystems through cutting-edge clean technologies.
Bombay Sapphire is the event’s Presenting Partner and the Official Gin Partner of the championship.
Advertisement
To be a part of this historic moment on the Thames—just a short distance from our award-winning distillery at Laverstoke Mill—is truly meaningful for Bombay Sapphire…..watching our Bombay Sapphire branded E1 Racebird glide along such an iconic waterway—feels like the perfect way to mark what’s only the beginning of our electrifying partnership, built on a shared passion for innovation, sustainability, and immersing in the beauty of a moment.
Bombay Sapphire also supports the E1 Series Blue Impact Championship, designed to protect natural waters and restore local ecosystems at each race location.
This content was created by the Powerboat & RIB editorial team.
Sea.AI joins a European project using real-time AI vision to track whales, helping scientists reduce ship collisions and protect vital…
Dometic’s Unrestricted collection blends cooler tech with versatile bag design, delivering eco-conscious, all-day performance for travel, errands, and outdoor escapes.
Grand Boats announce the new Golden Line G950, a 10-metre luxury cabin RIB combining top-tier performance with sleek, leisure-focused design.
Tickets are now available for the 65th Genoa Boat Show, with new discounts for under-25s and dedicated professional networking days.
