Portugal secured three UIM international events for 2026 during this week’s General Assembly in Shanghai, with the Portuguese federation landing the Aquabike European Championship alongside two Formula 2 World Championship rounds including the season finale.
Paulo Ferreira, President of FPM (Federação Portuguesa de Motonautica), confirmed the successful bid package delivers major championship racing across three Portuguese venues between July and September.
Aquabike European Championship
Mira hosts the Aquabike European Championship on 4th and 5th July 2026, marking Portugal’s first European-level aquabike championship event. The coastal venue provides established infrastructure for jet ski racing, with the July date avoiding conflicts with the summer F2 calendar.
F2 World Championship Double-Header
Peso da Régua stages the opening round of Portugal’s F2 World Championship double-header on 5th and 6th September 2026. The Douro Valley venue returns to the international calendar following previous successful events on the river circuit.
Vila Velha de Ródão hosts the F2 World Championship final one week later on 12th and 13th September, providing the championship’s concluding round. The Tagus River location offers dramatic scenery alongside technical circuit challenges for the season-deciding races.
The back-to-back Portuguese rounds create a concentrated championship finale, with teams remaining in Portugal between events rather than travelling internationally. The scheduling potentially influences title outcomes, with momentum and equipment reliability crucial across consecutive weekends.
Mission Accomplished
Ferreira’s “missão cumprida” declaration reflects the federation’s successful application process securing three distinct championships across different disciplines and venues. Portugal’s 2026 calendar positions the nation as a significant UIM championship host, building on established relationships with international powerboat racing organisations.
The Portuguese federation’s Shanghai success follows pattern of southern European nations strengthening their international event portfolios. The September F2 double-header timing provides favourable weather conditions whilst the July aquabike date capitalises on peak summer coastal tourism.
The UIM General Assembly in Shanghai allocated the complete 2026 international calendar, with national federations competing for prestigious championship rounds. Portugal’s three-event package demonstrates the federation’s organisational capacity and venue infrastructure meeting UIM homologation standards.
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.
