Class 18 rookies face mixed races in motorboat debut

The 2026 season's second-half motorboat racing stage introduced 5 Class 18 rookies: Kim Sang-beom, Kim Jun-young, Lee Myung-hyun, Lee Shin-ho and Lee Eun-ji. The group is less than half the size of the recently produced Class 16, which had 12 racers, and Class 17, which had 10 racers.

Because there are only 5 rookies, the adaptation race format has changed. Instead of rookie-only races, the fields are being arranged with 4 Class 18 racers plus 1 racer each from Class 16 and Class 17, placing the newcomers against seniors from their debut.

The 4 adaptation races held so far have followed the same pattern. A Class 16 racer won every race, and every runner-up spot went to a Class 17 racer, with no Class 18 rookie yet overtaking the seniors.

Motorboat racing is not decided only by a fast start. Results depend on position battles after the start, the approach to the first turn mark, turning angles and other judgments during the race. The betting flow also reflected the gap in race strength, as the seniors led all 4 adaptation races without major upsets and the quinella payouts generally stayed low.

Experience remains a clear difference. Class 16 debuted in 2020 and is now in its 7th year, while Class 17 has spent 3 years in actual races, improving starts, first-turn mark handling and course management. Class 18 racers still face difficulty matching their seniors' race management and crisis response.

Some rookies showed potential. Kim Sang-beom and Lee Shin-ho chased the leading group several times and consistently competed for 3rd place. The adaptation races continue until early August, with the focus placed less on immediate wins and losses than on becoming familiar with the professional stage.