10,000 people lined the shores of Long Hu (“Dragon Lake”), in Zhengzhou, China, to watch the XCAT drivers hit the water for the first time this year.

It was incredible considering that this was only free practice, over the next two days the boats will fight for pole position, then compete in first 2 rounds of the 2017 World Championship.

The Victory Team crew of Salem al Adidi and Eisa al Ali topped the timing screens with Rashed Suhail Al Tayer and Majed Al Masoori second quickest in Team Abu Dhabi.

Photos: Raffaello Bastiani

Zhengzhou – Free Practice times