All but one of the teams competing in the 2009 Class 1 World Powerboat Championship will enjoy the benefits of pre-season preparation and winter testing under the sun in the Middle East.

Following the climax to the 2008 season in Dubai, the majority of raceboats, workshops and hospitality units were shipped to Doha - where the season kicks off with the Qatar Grand Prix on 25, April - and where special facilities to house the raceboats have been laid on by Championship Organisers, IOTA and the Qatar Marine Sport Federation (QMSF).

The World, Middle East and Edox Pole Position Champions, Victory, remain at home at their state-of-the-art facility in Dubai, with Spanish outfit, Duemme Offshore, opting to ship their two boats back to Spain.

IOTA will hold a press conference on Wednesday, 21 January at ‘Boot Dusseldorf’ where it will confirm the calendar and team and pilot line-ups for 2009