NEWSLETTER
Riccardo Ballesio, the chairman of the Environmental Working Group, tells us everything about the UIM green projects. UIM Newsletter December 2014 UIM NEWS • UIM green pages • • • • • • • • • • •
Environmental Working Group Chairman interview 2014 UIM Environmental Award & Special Mentions Vripack: story of a solar-racer-award-winner Solar 1: inspired by nature and powered by innovation Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation : a great initiative for the yachting industry
• Inside the UIM • • • • • • •
First Equality Committee meeting, Yes they care ! Athletes Committee, The UIM athletes’ voice Portrait of the newly appointed UIM Vice President Out & About
Could you tell us about the missions/ activities of the UIM Environmental Working Group? The UIM Environmental Working Group (EWG) has been established by the UIM Executive Committee (ExCo) in 2009 with a specific mandate to advise the UIM on policies to be adopted in terms of environmental protection, alternative energies, and sustainable development and, through its members, to support the UIM programs and activities in this field. The EWG missions consist in raising awareness on environment, alternative energies and sustainable development among UIM National Authorities (NAs) and stakeholders, disseminating knowledge and ensure know-how transfer in the above areas, promoting environmental responsibility in the planning and staging of UIM events, ensuring compliance of UIM affiliated members with the Environmental Code, promoting the creation of an Environmental Working Group within National Federations, organizing environmental seminars and establishing a high profile network of correspondents, presenting the EWG work and findings to the UIM Council
and General Assembly, liaising with external institutions such as public authorities, environmental organizations and other sporting bodies. The Working Group I have the honor to chair is composed by Mr. Svein Elgvin (NOR), Mr. Mohammed Harib (UAE), Mr. Vahur Joala (EST). A very light composition that allows us to easily liaise and define our activities. Taking into account the mission given by the ExCo, the EWG immediately proposed and passed to the 2010 General Assembly, the Environmental Code that is now part of the UIM rules. This Environmental Code aims to promote environmentally sustainable practices. It provides guidance to all stakeholders on practical ways and means to respect and protect the environment within the organization of powerboating events. The main principles are: the resource conservation, the waste and pollution
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UIM NEWS DECEMBER 2014
reduction, environmentally friendly technologies and behaviors, environmental awareness and education, consultation with all stakeholders. Thus the sections concern the organization of the event, noise and fuel, protection of ground and water, behavior of team and spectators and action to be taken by the international organizers. To be compliant with the mandate received, the EWG support the UIM in signing the agreement with the UNEP, which is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system and acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment. Thanks to the increased consideration that the UIM has gained in recent years within the Olympic family, the EWG has the opportunity to share experiences and information with the other motorsport International Federations, as FIA, FIM, FAI and IWWF, which is a useful platform for comparison to enhance environmental standards and achievements. The EWG is now acting on four main pathway for “Greening our sport”: • to draw a system of standards and documents that can help organizers and NAs to face the increasingly challenging environmental issues • to develop projects regarding education/training/communication • to strengthen the cooperation among key Institutions • to involve new and motivated Green Partners Since the Environment entered in the UIM Agenda, as one of the main pillar of the President Chiulli's
mandate, we have seen an increased environmental consciousness, as witnessed by the increasing participation to the EWG meetings scheduled during the UIM General Assembly week, but there is still a long way to go. We are also strongly convinced that many good experiences have already been developed inside our movement, and we have to stimulate more and more the communication inside the UIM in order to valorize the best practices. What are the main challenges that our Sports are currently facing in terms of environment and sustainability? Powerboating is often associated with a non-eco-friendly sport but this is not true. There is room for improvement and many good things have been already done. We simply need to better communicate the results achieved. Because the environment is part of our Sport, we do care about it and we will continue to communicate these principles and values to the new generations by cooperating with the Youth Development Program to define the educational program for the young talents. We are working on giving to the organizers all the tool, information and support to avoid problems related to the acceptability of powerboating events. The environmental sustainability is more and more widely recognized as a priority by the countries hosting our races and we believe that we can bring environmental standards even where the green consciousness is not completely developed.
We at the UIM, make it a point of honor to raise environmental performance of powerboating and make our sport a vector of environmental protection and sustainable development. We will continue to promote the optimal use of resources and materials, efficient logistics and transport, continued reduction of polluting, discharges to water and emissions to air. The Environmental Award is the reflection of the values we hold. For this reason we continue encouraging all our stakeholders to showcase their most original initiatives and their most successful innovations in terms of sustainable eco-friendly technologies. I believe that together, we can take up these challenges. Together, we can ensure a bright future for our Sports. Raffaele Chiulli
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UIM NEWS DECEMBER 2014
What measures can be taken in the short and medium terms? In the short term, we are acting, as previously mentioned, in close cooperation with our NAs and Promoters to develop green format of the race events, whereas in the longer term we are working in promoting new environmental series. We have consequently endorsed the solar powered boat, Solar 1 race, which was held in the Yacht Club de Monaco last July and the UIM will continue to encourage this kind of green events.
Could you tell us about the Environmental Award and Special Mentions? Inside the UIM, the Environmental Working Group has the mandate to promote projects that can raise awareness on environment, alternative energies and sustainable development issues. Among these projects, The UIM Environmental Award has been launched in 2009 in order to inspire and recognize excellence in innovation, development and application of environmentally friendly technologies. For this 5th edition, from the applications we will receive, the UIM will select one overall winner and three special mentions for: "INNOVATION", “ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT" and "GREENING THE SPORT". Are eligible for the 2014 Environmental Award and Special mentions companies or individuals, such
as: to UIM National Authorities, UIM partners, racing teams, event organizers, engine manufacturers, boat builders, universities, research centers, scientists, Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s), companies, whether they are companies or individuals. The applications will be selected taking maximum attention to several parameters, among them the most important are: Innovation – Significance – Usability – Practicality - Economic feasibility and Environmental benefit. As the main objective of this award is to recognize outstanding environmental leaders, that have excelled in inspiration, vision, innovation, leadership and initiatives to the benefit of the Environment, the jury will reward the most positive and proven actions and efforts favoring the protection of the environment. The projects have to be in line with the reduction of the environmental footprint in all types of motorboating activities, be it a major contribution or a small one, such as processes whereby goods and/or services in use in these motor boating activities.
“Only your imagination can set the limits !” The winners will be awarded during the UIM Awards Giving Ceremony, where, every year, more than 500 guests crown the season Powerboating champions. The event will be followed by a press conference and a Gala dinner.
The 2014 UIM Environmental Award and Special Mentions brochure If you want to be part of the UIM “Green” adventure or simply learn more about the UIM Environmental Award & Special Mentions, do not miss the 2014 Environmental Award brochure. Main infos, conditions of eligibility, former winner’s projects, Sponsor opportunities… everything is included in the brochure. You can read it on the UIM website or directly log in here http://issuu.com/uimpowerboating/docs/the_2014_ui m_environmental_awards_a/1 For more info please contact UIM Tel: +377 92 05 25 22 Email : uim@uimpowerboating.com www.uimpowerboating.com
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UIM NEWS DECEMBER 2014
How trends led to the design of an award winning solar-racer
Can trends point the way to the design of superyachts in the future? Marnix Hoekstra and Bart Bouwhuis, directors of the Dutch design house Vripack, believe that in the right hands they certainly can. Having completed thousands of projects and currently employing 80 people, Vripack is undoubtedly a serious player in the yacht design sector, but with a decidedly fun and creative approach. The story of the studio began in 1961 when Dick Boon started designing boats. Now, 53-years later, it has grown to become the most complete design house in the world, embracing every single discipline of yacht design with 7000+ projects successfully completed. Today, Vripack functions as a professional design, engineering and naval architecture studio involved in the entire building process. 80-people,
each working within on of the five different disciplines that make Vripack stand out from the crowd. Vripack’s holistic approach is literally 360-degree. From 23’ pontoon boats to megayachts and solar powered race craft, there appears to be no corner of the nautical sector that Vripack hasn’t reached out and touched. Vripack is never shy of an engineering project that goes well beyond a dream and the V20 solar racer is an excellent example. For one this 20 foot boat doesn’t sail but she flies. Secondly, she is powered solely on energy created from the sun. And finally, she is the first one-designrace-boat for a world wide class challenging each other and the elements in the international racing circuit. By embracing the trend of creating a greener environment, solar energy is not the only factor that is important. The trick is to use it in the most efficient way. “It is all about hull optimization” says Bart. “That factor alone is far more important than any other green initiative, be on these very light solar powered yachts or the biggest of superyachts”. Marnix chimes in: “Get the hull right and the consumption will drop dramatically no matter what the size of yacht”. The V20 highlights how it is the hull design that is critical for maximizing range and speed gained through solar
panels. We realized that if we created our own one-class design, more and more people could compete and as a result technology would move faster towards the goal of using bigger and bigger engines driven by solar power. Focusing on the power of trends in combination with the expertise from the field of innovation and scientific developments is important to Vripack. Bart & Marnix conclude; “It provides us with the tools to create better boats in less time using our holistic approach. We believe that we don’t simply design boats, we engineer fantasies and therefore we feel very honored that this has been acknowledged by the international motorboat federation UIM with an award for greening the sport”. This acknowledgement has brought us great pleasure and a lot of recognition. Winning this UIM award is an important contribution towards creating a faster establishment of what the future holds for us in this area and we are very thankful for that. The Vripack Team www.vripack.com
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UIM NEWS DECEMBER 2014
SOLAR1 IS INSPIRED BY NATURE AND POWERED BY INNOVATION. An event at the forefront of new technologies. Created to communicate, educate and promote a greener and brighter future. Solar1 is a leading organization, which is inspired by nature and powered by innovation using global events to communicate, educate and promote a greener and brighter future, to a new generation. In July 2014, Monte Carlo became an arena for the first eversolar powered boat race to commence on the open Mediterranean waters; setting the scene for a new era in competitive powerboat racing. Monaco residents, elite racing enthusiasts and the “movers & shakers” of the solar power industry, gathered at the brand new Monaco Yacht Club to support 23 international racing teams, in a head to head 100% carbon-free nautical solar powered race. ‘Solar1 races was created to promote the use of solar power in our every day lives, which I strongly believe in. I see it as a great opportunity to animate and excite a new generation, whilst also focusing their attention on important issues such as renewable energy. I would like our future to be, clean, economical and sustainable. Solar1 moves us all towards a greener, brighter future!’ Sergei Dobroserdov, CEO of Solar 1 Solar1 is the first of its kind to unite businesses and pioneers, driving the future of clean energy. Today, the flourishing solar power industry has an equally powerful event capable of showcasing its remarkable developments and innovations.
Predominantly the racing participants of the Solar1 Cup, have been that of the student variety. These young adults have chosen to take part in this as part of their studies, or in many cases, as extra curricular activities, truly demonstrating their passion. These intricately designed vessels are astonishing, and could be easily perceived to be the works of well established technological designers and professors with years of experience. Teams have come from all around the world including; Dutch Solar Boat Team from the Netherlands, Vento SUL from Brazil, G.U.T Solar from the Polish GDsank University of Technology, Laguna Creek High School from the USA and YTU Gunes Teknesi-YTU solar boat team from the Turkish Yildiz Technical University, to name a few. “If this is what these young students can design and achieve now, I am very excited to see what our future holds with them at the helm” Sergei Dobroserdov, CEO of Solar 1 Solar1 not only creates an exciting platform for these outstanding developments of the solar powered industry, which in turn will be applied to larger vessels as the innovations progress, but Solar1 is also an advocate to all green and clean technologies, and invites and incorporates clean tech professionals and business, to showcase and speak during the event. A solar village and conference is also set up during the racing days to display, solar and clean tech products to engage the public on a personal level; encouraging and highlighting the importance of these clean technologies, and show how they can join in on the promotion of a cleaner and greener world. Solar1 prides itself on its mission,
showcasing these technologies and making them accessible to everyone. The event is free to attend, and has easy accessibility into the paddock, where one can be in close proximity to the actual racing teams, allowing you to speak and learn with the engineers and pilots. Kids solar powered model races are also organized; children work with the Solar1 team to learn and construct their very own miniature solar powered vessels, and race against one another. Solar1 feels it is important to create an event for everyone, and engage all ages in the importance of this environmental message. Solar1 wishes to encourage the application of solar technology in all areas of industry, but predominately in sea vessels due to the high level of sea pollution that affects our climate, and the habitats of sea animals. Solar1 whom received a Green Patronage from The UIM, Environmental Working Group, acts as the facilitator to spread, highlight and engage companies, leaders, experts, cities and policy-makers toward this environmentally friendly worldwide goal, that will in turn benefit all. As a paperless and recyclable company, Solar1 choose to opt towards environmentally friendly products where possible, and take into account its actions in the organization of each event. 2014 has been an amazing launch year for this innovative race, and will continue on in 2015, from the 9th11th July at the Yacht Club de Monaco. 23 International teams have already confirmed their participation. 2015 is set to be an even bigger and better year for Solar1, so join the race.
Riccardo Ballesio, UIM Environmental Working Group Chairman and UIM President, Dr. Raffaele Chiulli at the 2014 Solar 1 Monte-Carlo Cup podium
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UIM NEWS DECEMBER 2014
The Wood Forever Pact network with its Members (the CEOs of Viareggio yacht builders, Cristiana Longarini, and Burger, Jim Ruffolo) and its Partners (eleven renowned designers: Dickie Bannenberg, Simon Rowell, Andrew Langton, Tony Dixon, Adam Lay, Rob Humphreys, Pascale Reymond, Miguel Queda, Mike Reeves, Antony Harrison, Espen Øino) met at the stand of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation during the official visit of the MYS by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Wood Forever Pact, getting the yachting industry involved in the protection of tropical rainforests Creation and evolution of the Wood Forever Pact The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has been committed to fighting deforestation since its creation. The preservation of the tropical rainforests enables action to be taken in the Foundation's three priority focus areas: fight against climate change, protection of biodiversity and access to water. After an extensive study concerning the various environmental issues generated by the yachting sector, the Foundation chose to focus its action on wood, a key component in yacht construction. The various types of wood found aboard are selected for their technical, mechanical and aesthetic qualities. Teak, mahogany, ebony... these tropical woods are used for decks and exterior fittings, as well as for the interior decor and furniture. In 2010, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation launched the Wood Forever Pact with the aim of helping yacht builders with an approach to use timber harvested from sustainably managed forests. The MYS, due to its status as a key international yacht show and its objective to combine luxury with respect for the environment, quite naturally decided to team up with the Foundation. Over the years, the programme has developed and opened up to professions linked to the yachting world that use or advocate wood such as designers, furniture manufacturers and timber suppliers, with the aim of setting up a network. This union of professionals will have a leverage effect on the wood supply chain, which will result in a more environmentally friendly tropical wood offer and make super yachts the environmental flagship of the shipping industry. How to get involved in the Wood Forever Pact Suppliers of wood, furniture makers and designers who care about deforestation now have the opportunity to make a real difference to the environment by becoming Partners of Wood Forever Pact. By respectively selling certified wood, introducing a range of furniture from certified sources or specifying certified woods on your designs, you can benefit from the Foundation’s communications, and get in touch with specialists regarding your technical questions related to wood. The annual contribution of the Wood Forever Pact Partnership is 100€. Superyacht Builders who care about deforestation have the opportunity to make a real difference to the environment by becoming Members of Wood Forever Pact (WFP), the flagship project of the “Monaco makes a commitment against deforestation” initiative, led by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
The WFP Member ‘deal’ is simple and straightforward. Builders who sign up for membership of Wood Forever Pact commit to look for certified wood whenever possible in the process of yacht building. They also benefit from Wood Forever Pact technical partners, The Forest Trust (TFT) and the ATIBT (International Technical Association for Tropical Wood), expertise. WFP, ATIBT and TFT’s aim is to accompany and assist yacht builders in their own aims to use timber from sustainably managed forests – builders can choose to show potential clients their values, transparency and transformation through improvements. WFP Members can fly the Wood Forever Pact flag on their new builds at launch and use the Prince Albert II Foundation logos on their marketing material. WFP members also benefit from WFP communications and introductions to WFP Partners (suppliers, furniture makers, designers). The membership fee of the Wood Forever Pact is 3500€ for two years. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation guarantees all contributions are 100% used for projects and communications (includes listing on site and in newsletter) without management overheads being deducted. VSY, the first European Member of the Wood Forever Pact VSY, the UIM Green Partner but also the first European Member of the Wood Forever Pact, joined forces with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2012 and strives for sustainability in all aspects of yacht building. VSY has been actively working with The Forest Trust, a technical partner of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, to create a cartography of its wood supply chain. A lot of efforts have been made on their side to implement a Special Code of Conduct for their wood chain to support sustainable forest management and safeguard rich biodiversity in forest operations. To this aim, their target is to sustain the high amount of certified wood in their yacht production at over 80%. VSY responsibility covers a wide range of sustainability issues from the preservation of nature values and legal origin of the wood to social issues such as safety at work. For more information: www.woodforeverpact.co
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UIM NEWS DECEMBER 2014
“Strongly inspired by the UIM “YES WE CARE” principle, Michela Lauta we will do our best to defend and guarantee Chairwoman of the Equality Committee SPORT FOR ALL.” UIM EQUALITY COMMITTEE “Yes, we care” As an International Federation fully recognized by the IOC, there was no doubt that the UIM was needing an Equality Committee. But what does Equality Committee have to do with Motorboat Sport? Focus on a committee that cares for all. What is equality Committee? The Equality Committee is a newly created Committee discussed and ratified by the 2013 General Assembly in Auckland. Its Members have been appointed by the Council held in Milan last June 2014. It was a great pleasure and honor for me to be appointed Chairwoman of this Committee and to chair the first meeting which took place in Ibiza during the last UIM General Assembly. All the members appointed by the Council attended the meeting and I am very proud of that because it means that all of us have understood the significance of our task and have the right enthusiasm to start to work. What is the Equality Committee mission? Equality Committee has been created in response to the growing public interest in sports practice and to the development of the trend in
health/fitness and physical/sport activity. The most important aim of the Equality Committee is to encourage and support the efforts and developments disseminating the health and social benefits to be gained by all members of society through regular physical/sport activity. Equality Committee has the role to establish guidelines for Sport For All strategy, this is why we tried to identify during our first meeting, how to fight any form of discrimination, how to encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels with a view to implementing the principle of gender equality and, above all, how to encourage and support the development of Sport For All. During our discussions some countries as Italy, Latvia, New Zealand and Portugal mentioned that they had among their National Authorities people with different capacities involved in boating and aquabike activities, this is why we have set ourselves the challenge to develop for 2015, the number of National Authorities involved in this activity. One of our main ambition is also to encourage the creation of the first “SPORT FOR ALL AWARD”. The next Equality Committee meeting will be
the occasion to write the relevant rules to be submitted to the Council for its approval. The Equality Committee also intends to organize in 2015, the first National Motorboat meeting for people with different capacities. This meeting would be the opportunity for anyone to get closer of the Sport For All meaning. We know that there is a lot of work to do but I did understand during our meeting that all of us, members of Equality Committee are not scared about that … actually, this is quite the contrary! This is an agreeable challenge that we will meet with great passion. Strongly inspired by the UIM “YES WE CARE” principle, we will do our best to defend and guarantee Sport For All. We will bring this principle wherever there will be a motorboat race so we could also have in the same event a “race” for people with different capacities … Oh yes we are aware this is a big dream we have but … why not? I take this opportunity to thank the UIM President for his support during the first meeting of Equality Committee and last but not least I wish to thank all the Components of Equality Committee, Mr. Sami Abu Shaikha (form Qatar), Mrs. Ana Monica Mateus Leonardo (from Portugal), Mrs. Denise Preece (from New Zealand), Mrs. Mette Brandt Bjerknaes (from Norway), Mrs. Nadezhda Pylaeva (form Russia), Mrs. Ieva Taunina (from Latvia), Mrs. Alyona Golovkova (from Belarus) and Mrs. Gerde Holme Larsson (from Sweden).
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UIM NEWS DECEMBER 2014
“We are the reality, we are on the races, your decisions really affect us!” UIM ATHLETES COMMITTEE The UIM Athletes’ voice What better way to put the “Sport at the center” than through the voices of its athletes. Focus on the first ever meeting of the newly created Athletes Committee, chaired by a great powerboating athlete, Marit Stromoy. During this year’s UIM General Assembly meeting in Ibiza we had the first ever Athletes Committee meeting. The Committee consists of Duarte Benavente (Portugal), Alberto Pascali (Italy), Evgeny Erukhimov (Russia), Pal Virik Nilsen (Noway) and myself, Marit Stromoy (Noway). All active athletes in Offshore, Aquabike and Circuit racing. Our first meeting was open to all and attracted a lot of people among them, Council members, members of various committees, promoters, National Authorities, etc. We were all pretty clear that the Athletes Committee must not be an alibi on paper, but a committee with real power in decision-making processes within the UIM. To do so, the Athlete committee was encouraged by President Chiulli to follow the work of the other committees and to be a part of Council meeting and other key committees
such as Offshore Committee (Cominoff), International Technical Commission (Comintech), Aquabike and Safety Committees. This gave to the Committee members and all athletes a uni q ue opportunity to follow the process of the rule proposals, calendars and the future of our sports. The Athletes committee also had the authority to make their own rule proposals for future General Assemblies. The first Athletes Committee meeting was the occasion to discuss the workplan and current issues to which priority should be given. We identified that the main priority is to find a forum where licensed drivers from all over the world could meet and discuss factual and upcoming issues regarding our sports from an athlete’s
point of view. In the future we would also like to contribute our expertise and experience to the rule changes, security matters and to further enrich the Sports image. We will mainly work openly with other drivers through the various leading representatives. The goal is clear: to speak on behalf of the athletes to make the powerboating sport ever better and more attractive for us drivers, sponsors, media and fans. There are many things we want to work with, but it is important to take one thing at a time. Our reason to sit in a committee is first and foremost to ensure that the athletes' interests are protected in a relatively heavy advised system. The drivers are directly involved in the sport and it's essential for us to be heard in all matters that concern us.
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UIM NEWS DECEMBER 2014
“My vison for the future of the UIM is a union that retains its influence and encourages expansion of Powerboat racing on the world-wide stage” Fred Hauenstein, UIM Vice-President
More about: Fred Hauenstein, newly appointed UIM Vice-President After his appointment as UIM Vice-President during last General Assembly held on October 26th in Ibiza, the UIM makes the point on Fred Hauenstein great career and involvement within the UIM. Have you always had a connection to Powerboating Sports ? I was born into a powerboat racing family and started racing outboards myself at the age of 16. My “O” class career highlight was winning the UIM’s John Ward Trophy. I progressed to professional racing, becoming the factory team driver for the Johnson Outboard Company and winning the Parker, Arizona seven-hour endurance race as well as other top events. In my many years involved in the sport, I have managed race engine development programs, race teams and the development of future race drivers. I have designed and developed equipment for and performance of outboard racing boats, inboard hydros including Unlimiteds, and offshore racing engines and boats. I am still racing small outboard hydroplanes, enjoying doing so with my sons and planning to do so with my grandchildren in the near future. What led you do the Vice Presidency of the UIM ? I first attended an actual UIM meeting in 1979, when the HQ was in Brussels.
As an engineer for an engine manufacturer, my interest was in the UIM’s technical needs, and I became a member of Comintech to further UIM’s goals through understanding of technical problems and rule development. In 1993 I was elected to a four-year term as President of the American Power Boat Association and thereby became a member of the UIM Council, and for the first time saw the ‘inner workings’ of the UIM. From that experience, I realized there was a need for strong leadership in the Sports Commission to maintain our high level of support for the actual racers involved in our sport. I was elected President of Cominsport and, as a consequence, became a second-tier member of the UIM Council. In 2012 I was elected to full membership on the UIM Council, and now have been elected the Vice President of the UIM. I am very proud of the fact that the UIM Council feels that I can support the development of the aims of the UIM towards growth and stability for the future of powerboat racing and our member nations. What are your aspirations for Powerboating ? My vision for the future of the UIM is a union that retains its influence and encourages expansion of powerboat racing on the world-wide stage. We must develop more, and more attractive, entry-level opportunities for
future racers, young and old. We must become better at external communication of the excitement and attractiveness of our sport. We need to create links between other boating and motor racing activities. Most importantly, we must continuously develop and enforce improved safety rules. This area is very important to the growth of our sport because few are attracted to a sport that could cause life-altering injury; and potential sponsors do not want to be associated with such a sport. We must support the professional side of our sport through development of future racers and race officials because they support our goals as we do theirs. The professional series of UIM races are a source of publicity that promotes our sport and attracts potential future participants: racers, sponsors, national authorities and officials. In return, their financial support of the UIM is essential to both of our successes. I thoroughly enjoy working with the many people that are the heart of the UIM and hope to continue for many more years. I thank the Council for their faith in me by electing me to the Vice Presidency.
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UIM NEWS DECEMBER 2014
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