Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has been officially named patron of the opening round of the 2026 UIM Formula 2 and Formula 4 World Championship in Klaipėda, scheduled for June 5-7.
The role formalises what began in March as a commitment to attend. Ruginienė had accepted a personal invitation from Karolis Ramoška, President of the Lithuanian Motorboat Federation and the Lithuanian Technical Sports Federations Association, at the first state ceremony in Lithuanian history to honour Dakar Rally winners. She is now the event’s official patron.
Karolis Ramoška, President of the Lithuanian Motorboat Federation:
This is a great honour and an even greater responsibility for us as organisers and for the entire powerboating community. Such attention from the state encourages us to deliver the highest possible sporting results and an even higher level of event quality. I am truly happy to see Lithuania finally showing such strong attention towards technical sports disciplines. These are only the first, but very important, steps towards greater recognition and visibility of technical sports in Lithuania. I sincerely thank Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė and hope that this support and attention will continue to grow in the future.
Ramoška pointed to a pattern developing across 2026: state recognition and financial awards for Lithuanian Dakar Rally winners, ongoing discussions about advanced driving skill development programmes for officers and public service personnel, and now formal patronage of the Klaipėda world championship round.
The Klaipėda event is the fourth consecutive year the city has hosted a UIM world championship round. Organisers describe it as one of the largest technical sports events in the Baltic region. The international Klaipėda Boat Show runs alongside the racing across the same three days. Full event details, session schedule and visitor information are published on Powerboat News.
Riabko boat unveiling on May 28
On Wednesday, May 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM, the updated Formula 2 boat of multiple F2 World Championship medallist Edgaras Riabko will be unveiled at the square near the Government of the Republic of Lithuania building in Vilnius.
The event is open to the public. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the upgraded machine ahead of the Klaipėda round and to meet Riabko in person.
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.
