IHRA Publishes 2026 Offshore Rulebook
The International Hot Rod Association has published its 2026 General Rules for Offshore Racing, a 62-page document dated today that establishes the regulatory framework for its seven-round National Championship season beginning March 27 in St Petersburg, Florida.
Lithuanian Motorboat Academy Delivers First International Formula Future Training Camp in UAE
Matas Kvizikevičius, head of the Lithuanian motorboat academy, has successfully delivered the first international Formula Future training camp with a week-long programme at Fujairah International Marine Club in the United Arab Emirates.
Riabko Swaps His OptiMax for a Padel
Take two sports that shouldn’t meet, add 12 hours of non-stop action, throw in an East European powerboat racer with a sense of humour, and you’ve got Lithuania’s most unlikely tournament format of the winter.
IHRA Seeks Rescue Divers Seven Weeks Before Season Opener
IHRA has posted job listings for rescue divers with its first offshore event 49 days away, as talks with the sport’s established rescue provider collapse and competitors demand answers on safety.
Falcon Tenders Unveils 11m with Tim Heywood Design
Falcon Tenders has unveiled an 11-metre custom superyacht tender created in collaboration with Tim Heywood Design, bringing together two names synonymous with quality in the superyacht world.
UIM Adds Three Events to 2026 World Championship Calendar
The Powerboat News 2026 World Championship Calendar has been updated with the latest dates from UIM Calendar News, adding three new events and correcting venue details for aquabike and circuit racing championships.
Maverick Racing Retains Drivers, Deguisne Switches to 4-stroke
Maverick Racing has become the second F1H2O team to confirm its 2026 driver line-up, retaining both Cédric Deguisne and Alexandre Bourgeot alongside reserve driver Beranger Robart for the French operation.
Four Years Organising the Cowes Torquay Cowes Taught Me Why Racers Demand Key West
Four years organising Cowes-Torquay-Cowes taught me why IHRA’s numerous Facebook responses all said the same thing: Key West.
Some venues are sacred ground.
APBA Claims Official Status as Division Deepens
The American Power Boat Association used its annual meeting in New Orleans to assert its position as offshore racing’s sole authorised national voice, issuing a formal statement distinguishing itself from “other Pages using the APBA Offshore name or similar branding” during a week when sanctioning competition reached new intensity.
Mercury’s 808hp V12 Concept Signals Power Evolution
Mercury Marine used CES 2026 in Las Vegas to unveil an 808 horsepower outboard concept, signalling the next phase in its campaign to dominate the high-performance marine market.
The concept, displayed last month, suggests the next evolution of the company’s V12 Verado platform that has reshaped the outboard landscape since its February 2021 launch.
IHRA Appoints Teague and Stray to Lead Offshore Operations
The International Hot Rod Association has named Bob Teague as Chief Referee and Gary Stray as Technical Director for its offshore powerboat operations, adding veteran leadership to race control and technical oversight.
Mercury Outboard Revenue Up 26% in Q4 Despite Trump Tariffs
Brunswick Corporation posted revenue growth of $160 million in 2025, the company’s first top-line increase in three years, whilst absorbing $75 million in net tariff costs and generating $442 million free cash flow.
Has IHRA Lost Key West World Championship?
The International Hot Rod Association publicly asked competitors tonight where they want the 2026 Offshore World Championship held, suggesting negotiations with Race World Offshore over Key West are far from concluded.
Pål Virik Nilsen Retires After 33-Year Racing Career
Pål Virik Nilsen has retired from powerboat racing after a career spanning more than 300 races across 33 years.
Daniel Scioli: From World Champion Powerboat Racer to Argentine Cabinet Minister
The powerboat racer who lost his right arm in a 1989 accident went on to become Vice President of Argentina and remains in public service today.
Strömmöy Racing Confirms Unchanged 2026 Driver Line-up
Strömmöy Racing has become the first team to confirm its 2026 F1H2O driver line-up, retaining the same roster that finished sixth in last season’s Teams’ Championship.
Estonia Honours 14 World and European Championship Medalists
Estonia’s aquatic motorsport community gathered at Hilton Tallinn Park Hotel as the Estonian Olympic Committee recognised 14 world and European championship medalists from the 2025 season.
Entries Open for 73rd Raid Pavia-Venezia
Registration is now open for the 73rd Raid Pavia-Venezia, with the Italian Motorboating Federation approving race regulations for the 381-kilometre endurance event scheduled for 29-31 May 2026.
Early Bird Deadline Looms for Southampton Boat Show 2026
Visitors have a few days left to secure early bird tickets for the Southampton International Boat Show, before rates increase next month.
When Tennis Champion Adriano Panatta Raced Offshore
Adriano Panatta defeated Björn Borg at Roland Garros when no one else could, won the 1976 French Open, and led Italy to its only Davis Cup title.
Then he walked away from tennis and spent the next 25 years racing offshore powerboats.
Cappellini’s Record Raid Boat at Motor Bike Expo Verona
The DAC-Mercury powerboat that carried Guido Cappellini to a new Raid Pavia-Venezia record is on display at Motor Bike Expo in Verona this weekend, giving visitors a close look at the machine that broke a 20-year-old benchmark on Italy’s waterways.
Prince Albert II Champions E1 as Sustainability Platform
Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the UIM E1 World Championship season opener in Jeddah, where he emphasised electric powerboat racing’s role as a platform for ocean sustainability whilst praising Saudi Arabia’s sports innovation and Team Monaco’s debut season.
And Now Super Cat Joins IHRA
The class featuring offshore racing’s fastest catamarans commits 11 teams to IHRA’s $2 million championship, escalating the battle between professional investment and UIM recognition.
Aoki Racing Team Win Jeddah E1 Season Opener
Aoki Racing Team claimed victory in the opening round of the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship, with Sara Misir and Dani Clos winning both Finals in Jeddah to secure the season-opening Grand Prix.
Stuart Porro: The Marketing Entrepreneur Behind XCAT’s Microphone
Stuart Porro runs three marketing businesses, commentates on XCAT racing across four continents, and works with Gibraltar Rugby.
The Gibraltar-based broadcaster heading into his sixth XCAT season explains how the seemingly impossible schedule actually works.
Rianna O’Meara Hunt Makes E1 Debut as Sierra Reserve Driver
Rianna O’Meara Hunt made her E1 Series competitive debut at Jeddah after being called up as Sierra Racing Club’s reserve driver when Catie Munnings sustained a leg injury playing paddle tennis.
Team Brady Claims Pole Position at Jeddah Season Opener
Emma Kimiläinen and Sam Coleman dominated qualifying to secure pole position and three championship points at the opening round of the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship in Jeddah.
UIM Secures 10-Year Aquabike Promotion Partnership Renewal
The Union Internationale Motonautique has renewed its promotional agreement with Aquabike Promotion Ltd for a further ten-year period, securing the future of the UIM Aquabike World and Continental Championships through 2036.
Team Blue Rising Confirms Peeters Stays, Adds Al-Obaidan
Team Blue Rising has confirmed John Peeters will continue for a second season, partnering with new signing Mashael Al-Obaidan for the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship.
E1 Jeddah GP 2026: Preview, Timetable and Entry List
The 2026 UIM E1 World Championship opens at Jeddah on 23-24 January with defending champions Team Brady facing nine rival teams in the all-electric hydrofoil racing series.
Team Drogba Announces Millere-Hagin and Wilkinson for 2026
Team Drogba Global Africa has confirmed Ieva Millere-Hagin and Micah Wilkinson as its pilot lineup for the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship season, pairing a Lagos Grand Prix winner with an Olympic bronze medalist ahead of the eight-race campaign.
