POWER MOVE: F1H2O LEGEND THANI AL QAMZI APPOINTS VETERAN JUMAA AL QUBAISI AS TEAM SUPERVISOR

Jonas Andersson, a towering figure in the world of UIM F1H2O, has dominated the circuit over the last five seasons, claiming three World Championship titles and twice finishing as Vice World Champion. Now, in a move that has stirred excitement across the powerboat racing community, Andersson is offering one of his championship-winning DACs for sale.

This specific boat played a crucial role in securing two of Andersson’s three world titles. As Andersson himself notes, “It’s time to let this one go. It’s a super fast boat, and it gave me so much. I want to sell her race ready, minus the powerhead, gearbox, and engine cowling.”

In the quiet moments before dawn, Chris Davies, former editor and cherished friend of Powerboatracingworld.com, found himself in a lively chat with the legendary Guido Cappellini. They stood on the banks of the river, anticipation crackling in the cool morning air.

Guido, with his characteristic zeal, spoke passionately about his upcoming attempt to break the Pavia-Venezia record. “Chris, this is probably the best chance I’ve ever had,” he said, his eyes reflecting the determination that had defined his career. “The water levels are just right, and the conditions today are nothing short of perfect.”

Chris, always the inquisitive journalist, leaned in. “What makes tomorrow so special, Guido?”

“Timing,” Guido replied, glancing at his watch. “We start the ride at 07:00, I will probably have my slot around 11 and if all goes well, I expect to complete the 450 km run with a record. The river is cooperating, and my team has done an incredible job preparing the craft.”

The two men shared a moment of camaraderie, the kind forged through a shared passion for the sport. Chris knew the power of a good story, and here was one unfolding before his eyes—a tale of ambition, skill, and the eternal pursuit of speed.

“You know, Guido,” Chris mused, “if anyone can break that record, it’s you.”

Guido’s face broke into a determined smile. “Let’s make history, then.”

Promoters, Officials & Federations: The Backbone of Powerboat Racing – And Why They Deserve Our Support

The world of powerboat racing is fueled by passion, talent, and horsepower. But while the drivers and teams often receive the glory, there’s another group that rarely sees the spotlight — the promoters, the officials, and the federations behind the scenes. These are the people who put in the hard yards to bring us championship races, maintain international calendars, and keep this sport alive year after year. And right now, they need our support more than ever.

From Europe to the Middle East and across the Atlantic to the U.S., organizing a race is a massive undertaking — financially, logistically, and politically. The recent cancellation of the UIM F4 season-opener in Augustów, Poland is just one of several reminders that even promising events can fall apart at the last minute. The reason? Simple: lack of funding. No money, no race.

And when a race disappears, it’s not just a line on a calendar. It affects drivers, sponsors, fans, and teams, often leaving thousands of euros in unrecoverable losses for each. The fallout is real — and growing.

So before we, as a sport, jump to criticism, we need to ask a fair question:

Are we doing enough to support those who are doing the heavy lifting?

One promoter who has been doing that for decades is Nicolo di San Germano, the force behind the UIM F1H2O World Championship. Since 1984, he’s built a global powerhouse — a championship with 20 of the world’s best drivers from 12 nations, racing across 10 teams. It’s fast, dangerous, unpredictable — and yes, still standing when many others are struggling.

With H2O Racing, his team produces the only powerboat World Championship broadcast live around the world, and has added a youth development program to ensure the next generation of racers has a platform. That matters.

But even someone like Nicolo isn’t immune to the challenges. Building a calendar is getting harder. Securing host cities, sponsors, and government backing isn’t what it used to be. As the global economy squeezes every sector, sports like ours — niche, technical, and often misunderstood — find themselves fighting for relevance and support.

Tim Seebold, a former champion and now a major U.S. promoter, knows this struggle firsthand:

“I went from being a driver to being a promoter after I stopped racing. In my opinion, it’s harder to put races on than to race them. We’re often criticized by media and fans when races fall apart or when the calendar isn’t good enough. But instead of complaining, support us — and if you think you can do it, go out and put on a race. Only then will you understand how difficult it is.”

“We have a full calendar for 2025, and 2026 looks promising. But I can assure you, as a colleague, the UIM F1 series is working harder than ever to expand beyond their current five races — and I wish them good luck.”

But let’s be clear — it’s not only the promoters who carry the weight. Every event that goes live is the result of a joint effort. Race officials, working tirelessly and often voluntarily. National and international federations, navigating regulations, lobbying for funding, and keeping the sport aligned. Together with the promoters, they make the difference.

This is the truth behind the curtain of powerboat racing. The sport needs visionaries, but it also needs collaboration, patience, and respect. If we want more races, more visibility, and more support — we must recognize and invest in all the people who make it happen.

Because without them, there is no race.