With Hilmer Wiberg leading his sister Mathilda by just five points heading into Sunday’s F2 World Championship finale at Vila Velha, their father Andreas faces the most unusual dilemma in powerboat racing history.
Powerboat News spoke to the man watching his son and daughter battle for the UIM F2 World Title
We go into this weekend in the most unusual position for a father in offshore powerboat racing. You have a son and daughter in first and second place in the UIM F2 World Championship—Hilmer is five points ahead of Mathilda. What’s the family dynamic like with you and your wife Emma going into the weekend?
Andreas Wiberg: “It’s a big challenge because, as everybody knows, everything can happen in a race. I think Mathilda will be very fast this weekend, so we’ll see how it ends up.”
Why do you think Mathilda might have the edge over Hilmer?
AW: “She’s very fast in these conditions—when it’s a little bit flat, she’s strong. She’ll be very, very competitive.”
And you’ve seen the weather forecast shows little wind…
AW: “Not much wind forecast, and she can perform when it’s calm conditions.”
I have to ask you this question—you don’t have to answer—but after qualifying on Saturday, will you implement team orders?
AW: “No. It’s a straight-out race. That’s why we’re here.”
Going into this season, Mathilda obviously started 2 years ago in UIM F2, but this is Hilmer’s first season ever in the class…
Were you surprised how quickly Hilmer adapted to this class?
AW: “He’s been very fast in all the classes he’s competed in. In Formula 4, he was third in the championship in his first season. Every class he starts racing in, he’s on the podium immediately. In offshore racing, he’s already a world champion—he was second in his first world championship competition.”
It’s a lovely problem to have, but I have to ask—you’re not going to tell me who you want to win, are you?
AW: “No, it’s up to them. We hope the best one wins.”
With calm conditions forecast for Vila Velha and both Wiberg siblings capable of victory, Sunday’s finale promises to be a family affair like no other in powerboat racing history and as Andreas says, “Everything can happen in a race”.
John Moore’s 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 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
