Doha, September 21 (QNA) - HE Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani on Sunday announced a return to international power boat racing after an 11-year lay-off from the sport, participating in the 44th Annual Offshore World Championship at Key West in Florida on November 2 to 9.

Sheikh Hassan was a regular front-runner in the UIM Class One World Powerboat Championship and the American racing scene until he stopped competing at the end of 2014.

His former British throttleman Steve Curtis MBE has continued to compete in the highest echelons of the American offshore racing scene and the duo will join forces for the 44th Annual Offshore World Championship at Key West in Florida, which attracts top international names and features three races.

With support from the Ministry of Sport and Youth, the duo will revive the legendary Spirit of Qatar 96 racing hull name with a new boat and compete in the Extreme class.

Sheikh Hassan said in a press statement: "Our last race together was in 2014 but we will be testing during the third week of October before heading to Key West."

"The goal, of course, will be the podium and to set plans in motion for the 2026 season. It will be a new boat for us to run together but I am sure that Steve and I will settle in quickly."

One of many highlights for the duo during their former association with the Spirit of Qatar Team was obliterating the water speed record with a stunning second run of 244mph at the 26th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in central Missouri in 2014. (QNA)