China and the UAE will host XCAT World Championship events ©Getty Images

China and the United Arab Emirates will host rounds of the Extreme Catamaran (XCAT) World Championship, the International Union of Powerboating (UIM) have confirmed.

The opening round of the series will take place in the Chinese city Zhengzhou, with action due to take place from September 22 to 24.

Racers will remain in China for the second event, scheduled to take take place from October 20 to 22 in Hangzhou.

There remains hope for a third event to be held in the country, with promoter Lu Shan granted an extension to a deadline to finalise discussions with cities interested in hosting.

Should a city agree to stage an event by the August 15 deadline, the competition would be held between October 13 and 15.

Racing will move to the UAE for the final stage of the season, with the closing round to be held in Dubai between November 30 and December 2.

The event will coincide with Emirates National Day.

Competition in Dubai will coincide with Emirates Day ©Getty Images
Competition in Dubai will coincide with Emirates Day ©Getty Images

"The Chinese promoter Baia Blu d’Oriente and the UAE Marine Sports Federation, led by President Huraiz Al Mor Bin Huraiz, as well as Dubai International Marine Club chairman Ahmed Bin Mes’har, were instrumental in securing an attractive 2017 UIM XCAT season calendar," Raffaele Chiulli, UIM President, said. 

"The calendar will offer the offshore powerboat community and the global television audience spectacular XCAT racing in the coming months between September and December 2017."

A total of 14 teams are currently set to contest the 2017 season.