Abu Dhabi, UAE, 27 March 2003 - The 2003 U.I.M (Union Internationale Motonautique) F1 Powerboat calendar will consist of 11 events:  Portugal, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Russian Federation, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. -- Abu Dhabi and Sharjah).

Nicolo di San Germano, promotor of the U.I.M. F1 Powerboat and U.I.M Secretary General, Regine Vandekerckhove announced the 2003 calendar today at the Olympic Museum here, in the presence of the competitors and their technical and commercial partners.

For 2002, Guido Cappellini (Italy) received the World Championship trophy for the 7^th time.

Nicolo di San Germano: "The U.I.M. F1 Powerboat World Championship has come a long way since it was created 22 years ago in 1981.  I am particularly proud this year to present 26 competitors representing 18 different nationalities. A total of 11 teams have registered for the 2003 World Championship.

"This year events will be broadcasted live and delayed. This means that coverage of F1 Powerboat races will reach at least 250 million homes around the world for a potential total viewership of 750 million.

"It is a particular pleasure to return to a country like Russia which has a long tradition of boat racing. Powerboat racing in the Middle East is flourishing with the creation this year of a new U.I.M. F1 Powerboat Grand Prix at Al Qhubar in Saudi Arabia. This event is in addition to two Grand Prix that have been taking place in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi (U.A.E.) for a long time.

"2003 will see a second event in Asia after Malaysia, with a new Grand Prix that will take place in Singapore, one of the most active business centres in Asia. In 2002, the Malaysian Grand Prix organisers won for the second year in a row, the trophy for the best organised Grand Prix."

Sharjah tied with Malaysia for the 2002 best organised Grand Prix trophy which was awarded to Dato Yahya A. Jalil, Managing Director "H20 Sports", and Mohamed Al Noman, Director of Sharjah "Commerce and Tourism Development Authority" at a U.I.M  gala prize-giving evening in Bex, Switzerland. These awards recognized the quality of organisation of the two Grand Prix.

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Steve Michael Reporting - Philippe Stiernon F1 Press Officer

Photos: http://www.f1boatphotos.com