The Union Internationale Motonautique -UIM- has approved statutory reforms and changes to its governing structures at its 99th General Assembly, held on October 25 in Sintra, Portugal. The decisions introduce new conditions for the re-election of the president and administrators, safeguarding principles and broader representation on the Council. The week of meetings also included elections for international commissions and sporting rule changes for the 2027 season.
Led by Raffaele Chiulli, the federation governs international powerboating competitions, including disciplines such as aquabike and motosurf. In Sintra, responsibilities were shared between the specialist bodies, the Council and the General Assembly. The Council approved the F2 and F4 sporting amendments on October 24, while the following day’s Assembly addressed the statutes and elections. The decisions cover both institutional operations and the preparation and supervision of races.
New conditions for re-election
The amendment to Article 8.1 retains four-year terms and provides for two additional terms for the president and administrators. Previous terms and those ongoing on October 1, 2026, will not count towards the limit. Further terms remain possible with the support of two thirds of the votes of Full Members present at the General Assembly. Taking immediate effect, the provision introduces a limit alongside a route to continued service through a qualified majority, justified in the document by the need to retain expertise when candidates are scarce.
The statutes also expressly give committee presidents voting membership of the Council, alongside administrators and commission presidents. On safeguarding, the new Article 2bis commits the federation to protecting participants’ physical and psychological well-being, with particular attention to children, young athletes and vulnerable people. It includes a commitment to a sporting environment free from harassment, abuse and exploitation. A further amendment expressly assigns the Council responsibility for implementing a comprehensive safeguarding policy, effective from January 2027.
Safety takes shape in the racing rules
Among the F2 sporting amendments is a maximum distance of 450 metres to the first turning buoy, measured from the position of the last boat on the starting grid, while retaining the minimum distance of 300 metres from the starting line. The technical justification is to prevent boats from reaching maximum speeds while still tightly grouped. In F2 and F4, both sides of each boat must also share the same basic design, colours and markings, making identification easier for timekeepers and during safety and rescue operations.
The Council also approved an extension of the Mercury SST200 engine’s homologation until the end of 2027 and adjustments to practice sessions at Continental Championships. The extension allows continued use of the engine during the transition to the Mercury Racing 250 APX, whose adoption has progressed more slowly than expected because of cost. The proposal to introduce sprint races was withdrawn. The approved sporting amendments will take effect on January 1, 2027. On officiating, the revised By-Laws provide for the F2 and F4 Committee chairman to appoint sports commissioners in consultation with the UIM Secretary General.
Commissions prepare for the 2026–2030 term
The elections produced three new presidents and one returning office-holder across the four commissions whose results were reported by Powerboat News. Sweden’s Pelle Larsson will lead COMINSPORT, responsible for sporting matters; Portugal’s Luis Miguel Ribeiro will chair COMINTECH, which oversees technical matters; and Italy’s Fabrizio Boffi will head COMINSAFE, the medical and safety commission. Belgium’s Jean-Marie Van Lancker was re-elected president of COMINOFF, responsible for offshore racing. All four will serve during the 2026–2030 term.
The elected officials bring experience across different race operations. Larsson has worked in F2 race direction and sporting supervision and chairs the committee covering F2 and F4, while Ribeiro brings experience as race director in F1H2O and F2. Boffi leads Bergamo Scuba Angels, a specialist rescue team working at international competitions, and succeeds Bob Wartinger, who had chaired COMINSAFE since 1990. The commissions will work with national federations, technical specialists and officials to implement the new provisions and prepare for the 2027 season, linking the institutional changes to competition delivery.
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