FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Race World Offshore and UIM Announce Long-Term Partnership to Promote Offshore World Championship Series in North America
Monaco / United States – March 9, 2026
Race World Offshore (RWO) and the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the international governing body for powerboating recognized by the International Olympic Committee, today announced a landmark long-term agreement establishing Race World Offshore as the official promoter of the UIM Offshore World Championship Series in North America.
Under the agreement, Race World Offshore will organize and promote a series of premier offshore racing events across the United States and North America, with competitors racing for official UIM World Championship titles.
The partnership establishes a ten-year framework for cooperation between UIM and Race World Offshore, creating long-term stability and a clear pathway for the continued growth of offshore powerboat racing.
“This partnership represents an important step forward for the sport,” said Larry Bleil, Founder of Race World Offshore. “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. Our goal is to grow the sport, support the teams and competitors, and deliver world-class events for fans.”
The new agreement aligns Race World Offshore’s established race series with the official world championship structure of UIM, allowing teams competing in RWO events to compete for internationally recognized championship titles including UIM Class 1 and UIM Class 2 Offshore World Championships.
Through the partnership, the organizations will also collaborate to expand participation, develop new race venues, and bring offshore racing to a wider global audience through modern media platforms including digital streaming and broadcast coverage.
UIM officials welcomed the agreement as an important step in strengthening the sport’s international championship structure.
“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, and we are very happy, in close cooperation with Larry, that we are going to revitalize this class and ensure we can be proud of this partnership. So very very happy about this and looking forward to a bright future for the class”, said Raffaele Chiulli, President Union Internationale Motonautique.
Additional details regarding the upcoming championship calendar and events will be announced in the coming months.
About Race World Offshore
Race World Offshore is a leading offshore powerboat racing promoter producing premier racing events across the United States, including the renowned Key West Offshore World Championships. RWO events attract the sport’s top teams, competitors, and fans while showcasing the speed, competition, and excitement of offshore racing.
About UIM
Founded in 1922 and headquartered in Monaco, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) is the world governing body for powerboating and the international authority for all motorized water sports recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
Key Highlights of the UIM–Race World Offshore Partnership
- Official World Championship Platform – Race World Offshore will promote the UIM Offshore World Championship Series in North America, bringing the sport’s highest international title to premier race venues across the United States.
- Global Recognition for Teams and Racers – The partnership allows teams competing in RWO events to race for official UIM World Championship titles, strengthening the pathway for American teams and competitors on the world stage.
- Modern Media and Fan Engagement – The series will utilize streaming, digital media, and expanded broadcast coverage to bring offshore racing to a broader global audience.
- Growth of Offshore Racing – UIM and Race World Offshore will collaborate to expand participation, develop new venues, and elevate the sport’s global profile, building a stronger future for offshore powerboat racing.
- Race World Offshore will work in cooperation with the American Power Boat Association (APBA), the UIM’s recognized national governing body for powerboat racing in the United States, to ensure alignment with international championship recognition and the continued development of the sport.
About APBA
Founded in 1903, the American Power Boat Association (APBA) is the national governing body for powerboat racing in the United States and the UIM’s recognized national authority for the sport.
