MEDIA INFORMATION
For immediate release
Sunday, September 21st, 2025
Qatar’s Sheikh Hassan makes dramatic return to partner Steve Curtis in Key West
DOHA (QATAR): His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani today announced a dramatic return to international power boat racing after an 11-year lay-off from the sport.
The former Qatari offshore racer was a regular front-runner in the UIM Class One World Powerboat Championship and the American racing scene until he stopped competing at the end of 2014.
His former British throttleman Steve Curtis MBE has continued to compete in the highest echelons of the American offshore racing scene and the duo will join forces for the 44th Annual Offshore World Championship at Key West in Florida on November 2nd-9th.
With support from Qatar’s Ministry of Sport and Youth, the duo will revive the legendary Spirit of Qatar 96 racing hull name with a new boat and compete in the Extreme class.
“Our last race together was in 2014 but we will be testing during the third week of October before heading to Key West,” enthused Sheikh Hassan.
“The goal, of course, will be the podium and to set plans in motion for the 2026 season. It will be a new boat for us to run together but I am sure that Steve and I will settle in quickly.”
One of many highlights for the duo during their former association with the Spirit of Qatar Team was obliterating the water speed record with a stunning second run of 244mph at the 26th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in central Missouri in 2014.
The iconic Key West racing festival is fought out over three races.
After the customary parade through the streets of Key West on Sunday, November 2nd, technical checks and registration is scheduled for Monday, November 3rd.
Official testing will take place on Tuesday, November 4th with the first of the Extreme races for the Truman Waterfront Cup and the on-water fireworks taking centre stage on Wednesday, November 5th.
Further testing is permitted on Thursday, November 6th before the second race for the Southernmost Continental Championship on Friday, November 7th.
Numerous spectator-friendly events are planned in Truman Waterfront Park on Saturday, November 8th, before the final race for the Conch Republic Championship rounds off the action on Sunday, November 9th.
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