Victory Team powerboat drivers Mohammad Al Muhairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez have tragically died following a high speed crash at Mina Seyahi on Friday.

Emirati rookie driver Al Muhairi and French throttleman Sanchez lost control of their powerboat which flipped and overturned during the 2009 Class One UIM/WPPA World Powerboat Championship.

A rescue boat rushed to scene and paramedics performed CPR on the pilots before airlifting them to Rashid Hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

The race was called off following the accident.

Saeed Hareb, Managing Director of the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) and President of the World Professional Powerboat Association (WPPA) held a press conference to announce the two deaths.

"Both Mohammad Al Muhairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez have died following the crash," he told a somber gathering of the world powerboat fraternity at the DIMC at 6pm.

"They were rushed to hospital where doctors pronounced them dead.

"My heartfelt condolences go out to both their families."

Powerboat racing brings together state-of-the-art technology and spectacular venues from the Norgweigan Fjords to the coasts of the UAE.

It is a fiercely competitive sport with both driver and throttleman strapped into 'jet fighter' cockpits. The 42-foot powerboats, which weight five tons and are powered by twin 900hp engines race at speeds exceeding 160kph in sometimes unpredictable weather conditions.