The world governing body for powerboat racing, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), concluded its 99th General Assembly in Sintra, Portugal, on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The assembly saw the election of new leaders for four crucial commissions, with terms set from 2026 to 2030, marking significant changes in the sport's international administration.
Among the most notable outcomes was the election of Fabrizio Boffi of the Italian Powerboat Federation as president of COMINSAFE, the UIM’s International Medical and Safety Commission. This election brings an end to the remarkable 36-year presidency of Bob Wartinger, a long-serving figure who has overseen medical and safety standards across global powerboat racing for decades.
Another key change occurred within COMINTECH, the UIM’s technical commission. Luis Miguel Ribeiro of the Portuguese Powerboat Federation was elected president, succeeding Mikael Lundblad of Sweden. Lundblad had held the COMINTECH presidency since the 89th General Assembly in Fujairah in 2016 and was re-elected in 2022, demonstrating a considerable period of leadership in the technical development and regulation of powerboat competition.
Continuity was maintained in the presidency of COMINOFF, the commission responsible for offshore racing matters. Jean-Marie Van Lancker of Belgium was re-elected to the post. His re-election came after his challenger, Denis Dillon of the Powerboat Association of Northern Ireland, withdrew his application. Van Lancker, who also serves as a UIM Vice-President and president of the Belgian powerboat federation, was first elected COMINOFF president in Fujairah in 2016 and re-elected in 2022, signaling continued stability in this vital area of the sport.
The fourth contested presidency was for COMINSPORT, the UIM’s sport commission. Pelle Larsson of Sweden secured this position earlier on the day of the General Assembly, completing the slate of four newly elected or re-elected commission presidents.
The newly elected presidents bring a wealth of experience to their roles. Luis Miguel Ribeiro, for instance, holds significant positions within the sport, serving as race director for both the UIM F1H2O World Championship and the UIM F2 World Championship. He has also been the chairman of the UIM Formula 1 Committee since October 2018 and previously served as a COMINSPORT member, bringing a comprehensive understanding of racing operations and regulations to his new technical leadership role.
These leadership changes for the 2026-2030 term will guide the UIM’s strategic direction in critical areas, from ensuring racer safety and upholding technical fairness to managing offshore and overall sporting regulations. The decisions made at the 99th UIM General Assembly underscore an evolving landscape in international powerboat racing governance.
Further election results concerning commission members and Administrators are expected to be released by the UIM in due course.