Outdoors & Rec

Photos: The E1 World Championship Race Was a Star-Studded Spectacle

Tom Brady's team won its second trophy at the inaugural Miami race.
photo of six men posing in the foreground in front of an LED screen
Marcelo Claure, Will Smith, Rafael Nadal, and Marc Anthony (left to right) attend the E1 World Championship in Miami.

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

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Coming in just under the wire before a cold snap sent Miamians sprinting for their Uggs this week, celebrities including Will Smith, Marc Anthony, Rafael Nadal, and even Mayor Francis Suarez enjoyed a weekend out on the water for the E1 World Championship at the Miami Seaplane Base on Watson Island.

The conclusion of the electric powerboat racing season, the Miami race was the series championship and E1’s inaugural U.S. event. The event has been described as the “electric Formula 1 of the water,” and indeed has some backing from former F1 figures.

Going into the race, Team Rafa, owned by former tennis player Rafael Nadal, nipped at the heels of Team Brady, owned by seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. The former NFL player’s team won the championship last year.

In the end, Team Brady took home the winning trophy for the second year in a row, making it the team to beat in a racing series that only began last year.

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“Two championships don’t just happen. They’re earned through relentless effort, total commitment, and belief in each other,” he said in a statement. ‘We’ve proven what’s possible when you chase greatness with everything you’ve got — and trust me, we’re only getting started.”

With days of activations leading into the race and a successful weekend out on the water, E1 is likely here to stay. Missed the action? Here’s a glimpse at what went down during the first-ever E1 race in Miami.

photo of a pink and blue powerboat skimming over the water in front of a marina
The Aoki Racing Team powerboat

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

photo of a crowd of people walking through a thoroughfare in front of tented festival booths
Miami crowds gathered for the inaugural E1 race in the U.S.

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

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photo of a woman in geometric shades and a pastel dress wearing a lanyard and holding a black purse as she poses in front of a crowd at an outdoor sporting event
The festivities took over the Miami Seaplane Base on Watson Island for the duration of the weekend.

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

photo of a green and gold powerboat reading "Team Alula" skimming over the ocean in front of a Carnival cruise ship
Powerboating in the shadow of a cruise ship

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

photo of three women posing in black outfits holding black shopping bags reading "Ocean Club"
Goodie bags were part of the deal.

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

photo of a man in a racing suit and helmet coming out of a boat as a person holding a video camera records him
Sam Coleman of Team Brady

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

Related

photo of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez in a baseball cap, shades, and a white t-shirt at an outdoor sporting event
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez attended the inaugural Miami race.

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

photo of Marc Anthony in a dark t-shirt and baseball cap standing in the middle of a crowd
So did Team Miami owner Marc Anthony.

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

photo of a magenta and orange powerboat skimming over the water in front of the Miami skyline and a bridge
Team Rafa’s powerboat glides in front of the Miami skyline.

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

photo of a group of people walking between two platforms in front of the ocean with the Miami skyline in the background
It was a beautiful day out on the water.

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

photo of a crowd gathered in front of a waterfront, tiki-style building
Front row waterfront seating

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

Photo of three two-person racing teams in racing suits. The duo in the middle holds up a trophy underneath a sign reading, "Champions of the Water"
Emma Kimiläinen and Sam Coleman of Team Brady celebrate their win.

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

photo of Will Smith in a white baseball cap and pastel pants,shirt, and button-down standing between a man and woman in red shirts and baseball caps
Westbrook Racing team owner Will Smith with Sara Price.

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

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