Powerboating World Champions celebrated at Star-Studded UIM Awards Giving Gala

In the presence of HSH The Prince Albert II of Monaco, the 2016 achievements of the world’s leading powerboat racers were celebrated at the eighth Union International Motonautique (UIM) Word Champions Awards Giving Gala, staged at the iconic Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco and sponsored by China’s Bund Holding Group. 

More than 450 guests from sport, commerce, the boating industry and media gathered for the glittering annual showpiece which saw the 2016 UIM World Champions receive their winners’ trophies. 

The awards – which were broadcast live on UIM TV and the Olympic Channel - were the first to be supported by the Shanghai-based Bund Holding who recently signed a collaboration agreement to continue their ongoing involvement and commitment to the world of international powerboat racing.

Bund Holding President Mr Xin Chongjie and UIM President Dr Raffaele Chiulli welcomed HSH Prince Albert II at a pre-awards cocktail reception where he was given an introduction to the innovatory BUND Electric Integrated Propulsion System [EIPS] high performance marine racing engine – to be used in the 2018 UIM-H2O Nations Cup World Series – and the V20 solar boat for the 2017 Monaco Offshore Solar Race.

“The eighth edition of the UIM Awards Giving Ceremony and Gala Dinner also coincides with our 95th anniversary, which gives the event an extra special touch,” said UIM President Dr Chiulli. “Special thanks go to HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, who regularly honours the UIM with His presence, and to all the World Champions and distinguished guests on this special occasion.

“In 2016 the UIM organised close to 150 titled events worldwide in the disciplines of Offshore, Circuit, Pleasure Navigation and Aquabike and it fills me with honour and pride to welcome the resulting World Champions to Monaco.”

He added: “This year’s edition also bears witness to our new partner China’s Bund Holding Group who enjoyed a successful 2016 as local organisers of UIM Aquabike and Nations Cup Events in China and whose plans for the future are built on ground- breaking technical innovation with an immense potential to “green” our sport.”