World's best powerboat racers target Monaco for 10th UIM awards

Powerboat racing’s world champions will gather for the biggest date on the sport’s calendar when its global governing body, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), marks the 10th anniversary of its annual Awards Giving Gala in Monaco on March 23. Co-sponsored by Tianrong Sports – the Shenzhen-based promoter of the UIM F1H2O World Championship in China – and H2O Racing, the glittering annual ceremony will see powerboat racing’s biggest stars gather from around the world for an evening of celebration and recognition as the UIM pays tribute to those competitors who dominated their individual sports in the 2018 racing season.

“It is with great pleasure that Tianrong Sports will sponsor the UIM Awards Giving Gala,” said Tianrong Sports Chairman Mr. Li Haojie whose company has held the Grand Prix of China on 20 occasions and staged the UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of London for the first time in 2018. “We strongly believe this event, which echoes China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, is a unique opportunity to expand our European network and develop our business from this market. The exposure and brand awareness this sponsorship brings us is very valuable and we are looking forward to the next edition.” H2O Racing President Nicolo Di San Germano, who will be one of the key attendees at the star-studded occasion staged at Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, added: "As H2O Racing President, I’m very enthusiastic and honoured to support the UIM Gala and to celebrate such a strong, successful and long-lasting partnership.” The star-studded occasion will welcome some 400 invited guests from all disciplines of the sport as well as media representatives, business leaders, industry stakeholders and sponsors as well as 50 new World Champions.

The UIM has also invited a galaxy of sporting stars to share the stage with the powerboating elite, including a true sporting superstar in the shape of the legendary Nadia Comaneci, the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect score of 10 at the Olympic Games in Montreal in 1976 and the ideal icon to help celebrate the milestone 10th anniversary of this annual occasion. In addition to presenting awards to those at the peak of their sport, the UIM will also announce the recipients of its own trophies, including the UIM Driver and Young Driver of the Year as well as the coveted UIM Environmental Award, while the prestigious UIM Stefano Casiraghi Memorial Trophy will be presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to international powerboat racing.

“The world of powerboating always looks forward to the annual Awards Giving Gala but this year we will have an extra reason to celebrate as it is the event’s tenth anniversary and our thanks go to Tianrong Sports and H20 Racing for their wonderful support,” said UIM President Dr Raffaele Chiulli. “Since we launched the Awards, we have recognised hundreds of international competitors whose names are synonymous with the best our sport has to offer and this year will be no exception. And as the powerboat racing family is spread all over the world, the Awards Gala also gives us the perfect opportunity to come together not only to celebrate success on the water but also to discuss the key issues that affect the future success of the sport. I look forward to seeing friends old and new as we mark a decade of powerboat racing awards.”

Among the competitors to be honoured will be those racing in Circuit, Pleasure Navigation, Aquabike, Offshore and MotoSurf, while the potential stars of tomorrow will be in the spotlight with World Championship trophy presentations to the boys and girls competing in Formula Future, the exciting multi-level competition open to junior powerboat racers. Once the trophies have been handed over and the formalities complete, guests will be welcome to enjoy a thrilling experience at the world-famous Jimmy’z nightclub where the UIM Gala After-Party will continue until the early hours.