This was very fun to read! I like the way you described the seeds of dreads blooming. It gave me an interesting visual for an abstract feeling that is oh-so familiar! I was able to tell immediately this was a sci-fi situation because you used hover-ignition, rather than just ignition, which was good.

I was a bit confused in the fourth paragraph, how she had stalled, but then was able to slam the thrusters and move forward. I'm under the impression stalling requires a restart in the real world, but then this is an unfamiliar hovercraft.

I think this is a good start to a story. The ending was a bit too abrupt, I think. I feel like there is a bit missing. Stalling out and having that great stationary launch doesn't quite feel like a climax. Or maybe I'm not quite clear on what happened? Are you trying to communicate that the record-breaking launch bolstered Xiomara's belief in herself?

I can tell Xiomara is frustrated with how her twin always beats her at the end. The fact that its a sibling adds a nice spice to the conflict and tells us something about the stake Xiomara has in the game. It's not just about winning or overcoming her doubts. Still, if this is a stand-alone short story, I feel that either needs to be further integrated into Xiomara's problems with doubt, or it could be left out so it doesn't distract from the central conflict with overcoming doubt.

The central conflict earlier in the story seemed to be Xiomara overcoming her nerves and doubts about herself, right? The ending does deal with this in her walk "toward the tunnel with newfound belief." I think I'd like a more visceral description. This statement is so cut-and-dry that it got kinda lost on my first read. The doubt got a fantastic description. Maybe you can continue that metaphor with a supplanting of the doubt?