Issyk-Kul, July 30, 2026. /Kabar/. UIM F1H2O World Championship pilot Shaun Torrente admitted that he knew practically nothing about the country before arriving in Kyrgyzstan for the championship round, but was genuinely impressed by its natural beauty and the opportunity to compete here.
Speaking at a press conference in Baet village, Issyk-Kul region, Torrente said that he currently lives in Florida, USA, and previously trained and competed in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Over the years of his racing career, he has competed in the Caribbean, Australia, China, Europe, and many other regions of the world.
"Every water I've competed in is unique in its own way. That's why we, pilots, have such a great respect for the water. It's our element, and it gives us the opportunity to do what we love and live the life we love," the athlete noted.
According to Torrente, Kyrgyzstan was his greatest discovery.
"To be honest, before I was invited to this event, I'd never heard of Kyrgyzstan and didn't know what to expect. But when I arrived, I was simply amazed by the natural beauty. It's an incredibly beautiful place," he said.
The pilot emphasized that hosting a World Championship round will be a great opportunity to introduce Kyrgyzstan to an international audience.
"It's a great honor for us to compete here. Viewers in 80-90 countries will see the races on television." "This is a great opportunity to showcase Kyrgyzstan's beauty, its natural environment, and its tourism potential to millions of people," said Shaun Torrente.
In conclusion, the athlete wished Kyrgyzstan continued development and expressed confidence that after hosting the World Championship stage, the country will become even more known to the world.
