The 99th UIM General Assembly in Sintra brought fresh leadership to four international commissions, while experienced administrators retained their Council positions.
New leadership elected at UIM General Assembly
The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the world governing body for powerboating, has elected four new commission presidents following its 99th General Assembly in Sintra, Portugal, on 25 October 2026.
The elections covered five international commissions and five Council positions for the 2026 to 2030 term. While the Council results largely favoured continuity, the commissions responsible for sport, technical matters, safety and pleasure navigation will have new presidents.
Sweden's Pelle Larsson takes over COMINSPORT, the international sporting commission, succeeding Fred Hauenstein of the United States. Hauenstein did not seek another term as commission president but retained his Council seat.
Portugal's Luis Miguel Ribeiro replaces Mikael Lundblad as president of COMINTECH, the technical commission. Italy's Fabrizio Boffi succeeds Bob Wartinger at COMINSAFE, which oversees safety matters. Sijbrand Booij of the Netherlands becomes president of the Pleasure Navigation Commission, succeeding Denis Dillon. Dillon had stepped aside to contest the offshore commission presidency against Jean-Marie Van Lancker but subsequently withdrew his candidacy, leaving Van Lancker to secure another term.
Belgium's Jean-Marie Van Lancker was re-elected president of COMINOFF, maintaining continuity within the offshore racing commission.
Four UIM administrators re-elected
The election of five UIM Administrators produced four returning officeholders and one new appointment. Sami Abu Shaikha of Qatar, Carla Chaghoury of Lebanon, Paulo Ferreira of Portugal and Fred Hauenstein of the United States all secured another term. Germany's Frank Dettmering claimed the fifth position. The results provide continuity within the UIM Council alongside the appointment of four new commission presidents.
The outcome gives the UIM a mixture of established Council representation and new commission leadership for the next four years. These commissions play an important role in the international administration of powerboat racing. Their responsibilities cover sporting regulations, technical requirements, offshore competition and safety.
What the UIM elections mean for New Zealand
New Zealand participates in the international UIM structure through the New Zealand Power Boat Federation, the country's national authority for powerboat racing. The Federation represents New Zealand within the international organisation, connecting domestic competition with the wider governing framework.
For competitors, the commission appointments are worth following because sporting, technical and safety requirements influence how international racing develops.
However, the election results themselves do not establish any immediate changes to New Zealand racing rules, equipment requirements or competition costs. New Zealand's domestic powerboat racing scene includes several distinct disciplines, with offshore competition forming one part of the wider sport.
With the new commission presidents elected, attention now turns to their work during the 2026 to 2030 term and any proposals that emerge through the UIM's established processes.
