Race World Offshore and the Union Internationale Motonautique have announced a partnership naming RWO the official North American promoter of the UIM Offshore World Championship Series, putting UIM Class 1 and Class 2 world titles into RWO's programme.
Race World Offshore (RWO) and the UIM announced the partnership on 9 March, described in the announcement as a ten year framework for cooperation. Teams racing at RWO events become eligible to compete for official UIM Class 1 and UIM Class 2 Offshore World Championship titles.
"This partnership represents an important step forward for the sport," said Larry Bleil, RWO founder. "Working together with UIM allows us to combine the energy and innovation of North American offshore racing with the global recognition of the sport's international governing body."
RWO's 2026 programme is operating under APBA sanction, with APBA serving as UIM's recognised national authority in the United States.
A title with UIM history
Class 1's history under UIM sanction dates back to 1964. UIM itself was founded in 1922 and is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as powerboat sport's international governing body.
Raffaele Chiulli, UIM president, framed the deal around that history. "Class 1 has been the pinnacle class for UIM for so many years and it's part of our history, part of our roots, our tradition," he said. "We are very happy, in close cooperation with Larry, that we are going to revitalise this class."
What's still to come
RWO's 2026 race dates are already taking shape, Atlantic City, Michigan City, Clearwater and Key West were confirmed through the existing APBA schedule, but no separate UIM championship calendar or points structure has yet been announced.
New Zealand's own river racing community has a stake in the wider UIM picture too. River Racing NZ has proposed hosting World Jet Boat Marathons in November 2027 and 2028, subject to UIM ratification, alongside our established jet sprint and offshore scenes, all sanctioned under the same governing body now expanding its footprint in North America.
