Klaipėda will host world championship powerboat racing for the fourth consecutive year in June 2026, with the UIM F2 and F4 World Championships returning to Lithuania’s port city on June 6 and 7. For the first time, the championships share the waterfront with the Klaipėda Boat Show, running simultaneously across the same weekend.
Racing takes place at the Klaipėda Cruise Ship Terminal and Danė River Sailors’ Quay. The 2025 F2 World Championship included a Klaipėda round, where the city has now established itself as one of the circuit’s most reliable venues.
UIM F2 & F4 World Championship – Klaipėda 2026
Dates: June 5-7, 2026 (racing June 6-7)
Venue: Klaipėda Cruise Ship Terminal and Danė River Sailors’ Quay, Klaipėda, Lithuania
Admission: Free
VIP tickets: medusa.lt
Lithuanian drivers in both classes
Edgaras Riabko leads the home interest in the F2 class. The double UIM F2 European Champion and president of the Lithuanian Motorboat Federation, Riabko has been a consistent presence at the front of the F2 World Championship for over a decade and is one of the most recognisable names in the series.
Three Lithuanian drivers will contest the F4 class: Paulius Stainys, Nida Kilinskaitė and Matas Kvizikevičius.
What to expect on the water
UIM F2 uses carbon fibre catamaran hulls powered by Mercury Racing outboard engines. Three qualifying sessions set the grid; the Grand Prix lasts approximately 45 minutes on a circuit marked on the Danė River. UIM F4 follows the same qualifying format and produces two separate races across the weekend – Race 1 on Saturday, Race 2 on Sunday.
The Klaipėda Boat Show
Running simultaneously across all three days, the sixth edition of the Klaipėda Boat Show opens on Friday, June 5. Organised by LitBOAT, the Lithuanian Recreational Boating Industry Association, it is the largest marine exhibition in Lithuania, bringing together new yachts and motorboats, Lithuanian and international manufacturers, marine equipment displays and specialist consultations. Food and entertainment zones, family activities and a market fair run alongside the exhibition throughout the weekend.
Session schedule
| Session | Local time (EEST, UTC+3) | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, June 6 | ||
| Briefing | 09:00 – 10:00 | 07:00 |
| F4 Practice | 10:30 – 11:15 | 08:30 |
| F2 Practice | 12:00 – 13:30 | 10:00 |
| F4 Qualifying (Q1, Q2, Q3) | 14:00 – 15:00 | 12:00 |
| F4 Race 1 | 16:00 – 16:45 | 14:00 |
| F2 Qualifying (Q1, Q2, Q3) | 17:00 – 18:30 | 15:00 |
| Sunday, June 7 | ||
| Briefing | 09:00 – 10:00 | 07:00 |
| F4 Practice | 10:30 – 11:15 | 08:30 |
| F2 Warm-up | 12:00 – 12:45 | 10:00 |
| F4 Qualifying (Q1, Q2, Q3) | 13:30 – 14:30 | 11:30 |
| F4 Race 2 | 15:30 – 16:15 | 13:30 |
| Nations parade | 17:00 – 17:15 | 15:00 |
| F2 Grand Prix | 17:15 – 18:00 | 15:15 |
| Prize-giving | 18:15 – 18:30 | 16:15 |
Local times are Eastern European Summer Time (EEST, UTC+3). The “Your time” column converts automatically to your local timezone. UK viewers: EEST is two hours ahead of BST.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
