Another UIM General Assembly held in virtual format

After a first virtual edition of the annual General Assembly meeting held in 2020, the International Powerboat Federation also conducted this year’s edition by video conference, due to the continued impact of the Coronavirus on international travel. The GA meeting crowned a series of annual meetings of the Commissions and Committees, held in the same virtual format over two weeks in the build-up to the General Assembly meeting.

Despite this very challenging context, UIM President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli could welcome a large number of delegates and he expressed his satisfaction about the increasing number of
international powerboat racing events in 2021, compared to 2020, most of which have taken place over the past few months in Europe:

“Now that the protective measures against the pandemic are getting more and more effective, we have intensified our efforts to get the race boats back on the water. Several pioneering projects are in progress, which open up new areas of development for our Sport, and I trust they will give us a lot of satisfaction in the times to come. Our youngest discipline, MotoSurf, is growing fast worldwide, and we are delighted to see that this dynamic sport is attracting athletes from all ages.”

UIM general assembly acclaims Honorary Presidency Of H.S.H. Prince Albert II
The UIM President’s announcement of the acceptance of the UIM Honorary Presidency by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco was received with a general acclamation by the Delegates and celebrated as a historic moment for this Federation. The symbolic significance of this association is amplified by the reinforced commitment of the UIM to focus on all aspects of a sustainable development of the Powerboating Sport, with special emphasis on the protection of the environment alongside technological progress that ensures a reduction of the carbon footprint.

The UIM E1 Championship being the UIM’s leading Powerboat racing project on the way forward, the General Assembly received a comprehensive update on the preparation of this first ever full electric Boat Racing Series which will come on stage as from 2023 onwards. With the “energy transition” in the centre of all efforts towards “clean mobility”, a partnership agreement was sealed between the UIM and Environmental Consultancy Firm ALENS which will allow the UIM to raise the Federation’s profile in the global campaign for “emission free” Motorsports. The new “Green Partner” of the UIM will provide support in the elaboration of a Green Agenda and the Federation’s environmental strategy and assist UIM Member Federations and local organizers in the implementation of the UIM Environmental Code.

New UIM Circuit Class GT10
The outstanding news from the Powerboat racing front was the integration of a new international boat Class in the CIRCUIT Discipline. The new UIM GT10 Class has been granted UIM Championship status to promote in all member countries a more appropriate entry level for Youth between 8 and 12 who are attracted by the Powerboating Sport. This boat Class, characterized by a standard hull and powered by a 10HP 4-stroke engine, had originally been created by the Finnish Powerboat Federation and enjoys great popularity in the countries where it is being raced nationally.
At governance level, the General Assembly ratified Gianfranco Rossi, President of the Monaco Powerboat Federation, as new local UIM Administrator.