Giorgio Viscione, president of the Federazione Italiana Motonautica (FIM), has set out an ambitious strategy to take Italian powerboating to a wider audience, speaking to Corriere dello Sport in an interview published today.
The sport he leads has deep roots. Italian competitive powerboating dates to 1923, and over more than a century the FIM has accumulated world titles across circuit racing, offshore, endurance and jet ski disciplines. Viscione is clear that the task now is evolution, not a break with that past.
Opening Up to a Wider Public
Viscione described a deliberate shift in how the federation communicates and positions itself. The FIM is pushing into ports, marinas and waterfronts, taking the sport to places where new audiences encounter the water. Regional delegates and local committees are central to that effort.
“We are changing how we talk about ourselves and how we open up. We want powerboating to be seen not as a sport for a select few, but as an experience to be lived. We are entering the ports, the marinas, the places where this sport can genuinely be discovered. Because powerboating is much more than a race – it is a different way of living and telling the story of Italy seen from the water.” – Giorgio Viscione, speaking to Corriere dello Sport
Every race, in his framing, is an encounter between sport, community and landscape. Without the territorial network, the federation could not reach the communities it is trying to engage.
Safety as a Foundation
Safety runs through the FIM’s messaging as a core value, not an afterthought. Viscione argued that the equipment requirements – helmet, life jacket, wetsuit, attention to distances – are not constraints on the experience but what makes it possible.
“Safety does not limit enjoyment. It makes it possible.” – Giorgio Viscione
Sustainability and the Politecnico di Milano
The federation has had a dedicated full-time sustainability role for two years. The work has included cleaner engine development, reduced environmental impact and electric propulsion projects. Collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano is part of that ongoing drive.
“Sustainability is no longer an option. It is an obligatory direction.” – Giorgio Viscione
New Partnerships
The FIM’s higher profile is attracting commercial partners. Givova has signed as technical sponsor. Tohatsu, whose three-year engine partnership with the federation was confirmed earlier this year, includes a focus on the GT30 and GT15 circuit classes. Sky Sport has agreed a media deal covering the Motonautica Onboard series. The federation is also working with universities, technology companies and energy sector players.
“When you communicate well and show what you do, companies come to you.” – Giorgio Viscione
A New Logo
The Corriere dello Sport interview coincided with the FIM unveiling a redesigned logo. The new mark uses a four-bladed propeller motif, each blade representing one of the federation’s four strategic priorities: people, territory, performance and sustainability. The Italian tricolour is incorporated into the design.
Asked to define Italian powerboating in a single phrase, Viscione kept it short: “It’s an experience. Not just to watch, but to live.”
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.
