Nelson Morin heads a Nelson-Sacchi front row for the Grand Prix of Vila Velha de Ródão, the quickest across all three qualifying sessions and the only driver to dip into the 49s in Q3.
It was a difficult day for two of the six drivers still mathematically able to win the 2026 title. Mathilda Wiberg was hit by three separate problems: a Q1 issue, a fuel problem that saw her scrape into Q3 with only three minutes of the session left, then a breakdown before she could set a lap time in Q3. Her final grid position was decided by her Q2 time. Peter Morin also had fuel trouble, unable to get the revs or speed he needed in Q2, and qualifies down in 12th.
Championship leader Edgaras Riabko qualifies 5th. Hilmer Wiberg had arguably his strongest session of the weekend to line up 3rd, with Tobias Munthe-Kaas 7th.
What to Watch For Tomorrow
Riabko’s grid slot works in his favour. Fifth is comfortable rather than spectacular, but he does not need to win, only to avoid the specific scenarios each rival needs from him. Starting mid-pack rather than at the front suits a race managed conservatively rather than one raced on the limit.
Hilmer Wiberg looks the contender best placed to challenge him. Third on the grid and genuinely in podium or win contention, he only needs Riabko to finish eighth or worse. That is a live scenario rather than a stretch, and if there is late drama in the title race tomorrow, it is more likely to involve him than Peter Morin or Mathilda Wiberg.
Peter Morin and Mathilda Wiberg look the least likely of the six mathematical contenders now. Twelfth on the grid is a considerable ask for Morin before factoring in that Riabko also needs a bad day. Mathilda’s title chances look to have been effectively ended by Saturday’s three mechanical failures rather than anything likely to happen on the water on Sunday.
The fuel issues that hit both Mathilda Wiberg and Peter Morin in qualifying are worth watching. Two separate boats with fuel-related problems in the same session raises the question of whether this was isolated bad luck or something affecting more of the field, and if it recurs tomorrow it will not necessarily hit the same two drivers.
On balance, Riabko looks more likely than not to either win the title outright on Sunday or leave Vila Velha needing very little, with Hilmer Wiberg the driver with the clearest path to denying him.
The Grand Prix of Vila Velha de Ródão, the 2026 season finale, gets underway at 15:45 local time on Sunday.
Source: John Moore – powerboat.news
