District Collector B. Lakshmikantham said on Thursday the stage had been set for the India leg of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of Amaravati, the fifth round of powerboat racing from Friday in the Krishna river. Mr. Lakshmikantham told the media here that all arrangements related to the race and the audience were in place. The river had been kept clean and the water level raised as per the standards and seating arrangements for thousands of visitors made at all the ghats. Friday would see only practice sessions and the next day the practice and selections. On Sunday, the Formula 1 and Formula 4 racing would be conducted from 3 pm. In all nine teams with 19 powerboats would compete for the championship. The event was open for all at any ghat any time. However, those who would like to view the racing on Sunday from the Bhavani Island must pay Rs. 7,000 per person for entry ticket which would be taken care of by the Tourism department, Mr. Lakshmikantham said. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu would officially open the paddock at the Punnami Ghat on Friday at 3 pm after which the drivers would practice for two hours. A green channel from the Prakasam Barrage to the Manipal Hospital would be established for emergency medical help. Teams of the NDRF and the SDRF would be stationed at the island. Watch proceedings live The general public could view the proceedings live on the LED screens in various areas of the city. A spectacular road show on the ‘smaller versions of catamarans’ all set to fly across the river raised a great deal of interest among the citizens. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority CEO Himanshu Shukla and Mr. Lakshmikantham flagged off the show of the nine powerboats that arrived in the city in containers from the Krishnapatnam port and placed on semi-trailer trucks that moved at a slow pace, providing people a clear view of the drivers and the crew.
Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/all-set-for-f1h2o-powerboat-race/article25511775.ece