For the first time in the history of the Union Internationale Motonautique XCAT World Series, the outboard-powered catamarans will compete on a racecourse in the Atlantic Ocean, according to a press release from the World Professional Powerboating Association.

The competitive boats in the XCAT World Series will race in Portugal next month. Photo by Raffaello Bastiani/XCAT World Series

Set to take place in the stunning Portugal town of Cascais, which is just west of Lisbon, the country’s capital, the third round of the XCAT World Series is set to feature 13 international teams in the Cascais Grand Prix on Sunday, June 14.

“We are thrilled to be taking XCAT racing to Portugal for the first time,” said the newly appointed WPPA CEO Ronan Morgan, who flew to Portugal last week to finalize arrangements with the local organizing committee. “So far we have had extremely fruitful discussions with all the parties concerned, planning is on track and we’re looking forward to a spectacular event.

“The race village and racecourse will be set up in such a way that everything is within walking distance, so providing a fantastic viewing experience for spectators,” he added. “We expect a throng of both tourists and the local community to converge on the area to witness something truly special.”

The beautiful Portugal seaside town of Cascais is hosting the third round of the XCAT World Series next month. Photo courtesy Rui Cunha

Steeped in history and bursting with natural beauty, it’s easy to understand why Cascais is such a popular tourist destination. And not just for regular tourists, but royalty too, with the Spanish royal family having chosen the seaside town as their vacation spot back in the 19th century, and many royals following in their footsteps.

But Cascais is not only about history, which incidentally dates back some 5,000 years, it is located where the beautiful Atlantic Ocean laps spectacular sandy beaches while the Sinta Mountains to the north provide even more beauty.

The XCAT World Series is not the first international sporting event to visit the Portugal shore. Cascais boasts an impressive list of popular sporting events including tennis and motorsports as well as having hosted the ISAF Sailing World Championships in 2007.

Newcomers Rashed Al Tayer and Faleh Al Mansoori in Team Abu Dhabi are the current leaders of the series after their first-round victory in Fujairah and their second-place finish in round two in Dubai in February.

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