Victory Team's Ahmad Al Fahim takes on Dubai T100 for third year running

Victory Team powerboat driver Ahmad Al Fahim will line up for his third Dubai T100 Triathlon on November 15, taking on the full 100km for the second year running.

Al Fahim joined the Dubai-based Victory Team in 2018, winning races in the F4 class before making his F1H2O World Championship debut in 2023.

He took up triathlon in 2015, qualified for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship two years later and represented the UAE at the 2018 Asian Games. Away from racing, he is Head of Strategy and Talent Development at Dubai Sports Council.

"I’m really excited to take part in Dubai T100 for the third time, especially as the race is held here in Dubai and gives us the opportunity to compete alongside athletes from around the world," said Al Fahim.

"For me, taking part is not just about achieving a result. It is about continuing to challenge myself and improve my performance. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to represent the UAE with pride at a major international sporting event."

BACK ON THE START LINE

Al Fahim has had time out of the sport due to injury. A fractured hip in 2020 stopped him running, and when he returned to training, a broken shoulder stopped him swimming.

"In between, I became focused on cycling and did a lot of road racing, but then I slowed down because the potential of crashing is high," he said. "I’m racing for Victory in Formula One and there is no room for mistakes, so I can’t risk it. I went back to triathlon because it’s safer when it comes to racing. I started slowly and now I’m picking it up more. This is my third year back."

Al Fahim raced the Sprint at the first Dubai T100 in 2024 before stepping up to the 100km last year.

A WAY OF LIFE

During the week, Al Fahim alternates between swimming, cycling and running for one to two hours a day, with longer endurance sessions of three to four hours at weekends.

"Sport is no longer just a hobby or something I do to compete in championships. It has become a way of life that I cannot imagine being without," he said. "I always try to manage my time between work and my sporting commitments, making sure I practise at least one of the three disciplines almost every day, whether swimming, running or cycling. The length of each session may vary depending on my schedule, but what matters most is consistency and never giving up."

FROM COCKPIT TO AL MAMZAR

Victory Team won the F1H2O Teams’ World Championship for the first time in 2025 and topped this year’s standings going into the final round in Sharjah on December 18–20.

"There is a strong connection between the two sports in terms of physical and mental preparation," said Al Fahim. "Formula 1 powerboat racing requires intense concentration and the ability to withstand significant physical demands throughout a race. Triathlon training helps me maintain my fitness and endurance, which has a positive impact on my performance with Victory Team. I believe the two sports complement each other."

SPORT FOR EVERYONE

Race weekend falls within the 10th Dubai Fitness Challenge, the citywide 30x30 initiative running from October 31 to November 29.

"The message I always want to share is that sport is for everyone. Work commitments and everyday responsibilities should never become barriers to staying active," said Al Fahim. "I have my government job and my commitments with Victory Team, yet I still make sure to set aside time for regular training. Not everyone needs to compete in long-distance races, but what matters is finding an activity that suits them, getting started and making movement and exercise part of their daily routine."

For those looking for a first step, the weekend also includes a Sprint (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) and the new Olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run), with relay options at both for teams of friends, family or colleagues. Every distance has now sold out, apart from a few remaining places in the Sprint relay, available online.

RACE WEEKEND
The third Dubai T100 Triathlon Weekend runs from November 13–15 at Al Mamzar, supported by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Sports Council. More than 3,000 athletes from 50 nationalities have registered. 

On November 14, the amateur Olympic distance starts at 06:45, ahead of the professional races, with the men off at 10:03, five minutes ahead of the women. Reigning T100 World Champion and double Olympic medallist Hayden Wilde heads the men’s field, while defending Dubai champion and Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Julie Derron leads the women’s. With the Saudi Arabia T100 moved to April 2027, Dubai is the final stop for both fields before the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in Qatar on December 10–12.

November 15 is for the amateurs, with Al Fahim among the field for the 100km at 06:45, followed by the Sprint at 10:45. The 100km is also a qualifier for the Qatar T100 World Championships.

The bike course runs on closed roads through Al Hamriya Port and Dubai Islands, over the Infinity Bridge and past Port Rashid and the QE2, with views of the Dubai Frame and Burj Khalifa. The run follows the shaded paths of Al Mamzar Park and its new corniche footpath.

Spectator entry to Al Mamzar is free throughout the race weekend. For more information, visit t100triathlon.com/dubai

How the 2026 T100 Triathlon World Tour works:

• Athletes score 35 points for first place to 1 pt for 20th place at each of the races; 2nd – 29 points; and 3rd – 26 points
• The Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final has increased points to up the ante (55 pts down to 4 pts) 
• Each athlete’s best three T100 race scores plus the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final will count towards the women’s and men’s T100 World Championship titles
• $275,000 prize fund at each T100, totalling $2,750,000 across the nine races (1st place – $50,000k; 2nd – $40,000; 3rd – $30,000 at each race)
• The series winners following the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final will be crowned T100 Triathlon World Champion and collect $100,000 USD from an additional total prize pool of $1,450,000 (2nd – $80,000; 3rd – 75,000) 
• Between the T100 race prize fund and T100 Triathlon World Tour pool, the series provides $4,200,000 in athlete compensation, and is distributed in a way that not only rewards the winners, but also recognises the significant achievement of racing at this level