Maidstone powerboat racer Ben Jelf will compete in the fourth round of the F1H2O World Championship in Shanghai this weekend.

Jelf will represent the F1 Atlantic team once more, as 20 racers battle it out on the Huangpu River, China, from today (Friday) until Sunday.

Since the last round in Sardinia in June where Jelf finished sixth in a career-best result for the 24-year-old, he has also competed in the British Sprint Championship in a Monohull GT30 class, where he won the standalone event to secure his 17th British powerboat title.

Jelf will take on the guidance and knowledge that Portuguese team-mate Duarte Benavente has of the venue, having raced in Shanghai’s waters in 2004.

He sits 10th in the championship and will be fighting for position in the Grand Prix of Shanghai sprint race and grand prix race before the final two rounds of competition - the next back in China in Zhengzhou on October 17-19.

“I can’t wait to get back in the boat,” Jelf said.

“We haven’t raced since June so I will take full advantage of the extra practices we have to make sure the boat is performing how I expect it to and prepare myself to fight for the championship points that are up for grabs.

“I must thank my family and team for their unwavering support.

“To travel to China once in a month is a big ask but, for the team to travel twice in one month and, with the second event being short notice, I’m eternally grateful for their dedication in helping me achieve my dreams and goals.

“I just hope I can reward them with a great performance.”