Aquabike 2026: Al Mulla takes freestyle lead, Olbia finale next
The newsroomUpdated on October 11, 20263 minAquabike World Championship: Rashed Al Mulla wins both freestyle races in Shanghai and leads on 50 points ahead of the Olbia finale on 16 to 18 October.
Key point
Rashed Al Mulla won both freestyle races in Shanghai and leads the Aquabike World Championship on 50 points; the 2026 titles will be decided in Olbia, Sardinia, on 16 to 18 October.
The 2026 UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship has a new freestyle leader: Rashed Al Mulla (Team Abu Dhabi) won both races at the Shanghai Grand Prix, the season opener, and tops the standings with the maximum 50 points. The finale takes place in Olbia, Sardinia, on 16 to 18 October.
Shanghai: two races, two wins
The championship opened on 1 and 2 October in Shanghai, where Aquabike returned after a decade-long hiatus, according to the H2O Racing calendar. In freestyle, Al Mulla topped qualifying and then won the first race with 227 judges' points, worth 25 championship points. He repeated the feat on the final day with a second win and another 25 points.
The result: 50 points, the maximum for a weekend, and the lead of the freestyle standings. Full results for the other categories (Runabout, Ski, Ski Ladies) were not available in our sources at the time of writing.
A rich track record
Al Mulla has six freestyle world titles: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024. Runner-up in 2025, he returns with the ambition of reclaiming his crown. At the UIM trophy ceremony in Monaco in March 2026, Roberto Mariani was honoured as 2025 freestyle champion.
Olbia: where the titles are decided
The rest of the championship is played in Sardinia, on 16 to 18 October. According to ARN News Centre, that is where the 2026 world champions will be crowned. The official H2O Racing calendar adds events for minor categories, run alongside the World Championship.
Beware of conflicting information about the rest of the season: the official calendar also lists Doha, Qatar, on 19 to 21 November, then a Middle East round with its venue still to be confirmed, on 1 to 5 December. ARN News Centre, however, says the Doha and Jeddah rounds were cancelled, leaving only Shanghai and Olbia in 2026. The newsroom will follow official confirmations.
The categories to watch
- Runabout GP1: 2025 champion François Médori
- Ski GP1: 2025 champion Oliver Koch Hansen
- Ski Ladies GP1: 2025 champion Estelle Poret
- Freestyle: Al Mulla in front after Shanghai
With a 50-point lead banked from the opener, Al Mulla heads to Olbia in a position of strength: Sardinia will tell whether his run continues.
Frequently asked questions
Who leads the 2026 Aquabike freestyle World Championship?
Rashed Al Mulla (Team Abu Dhabi), with 50 points after his two wins in Shanghai.
When and where is the next round?
In Olbia, Sardinia, on 16 to 18 October 2026, according to the official calendar.
How many world titles does Al Mulla already have?
Six freestyle world titles (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024), according to ARN News Centre.
Sources
- ARN News Centre — Al Mulla leads the Aquabike freestyle World Championship
- Aquabike.net — 2026 UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship calendar
- Watercraft Journal — Champions honoured in Monaco, 2026 calendar
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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