UIM F1 POWERBOAT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR REVISED

Abu Dhabi, Saturday 2 August, 2003 - The 2003 Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) F1 Powerboat World Championship calendar now will consist of ten races:  Portugal, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and UAE (Abu Dhabi and Sharjah). The Russian Federation Grand Prix, scheduled for August 17 in Moscow, will not take place.

Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter of the UIM F1 Powerboat World Championship today announced the cancellation of what was to have been the fifth Powerboat Grand Prix of the 2003 season.

Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter U.I.M. F1 Powerboat Racing Championship:

"After three years away from the Russian Federation, it gave me pleasure  to see the F1 Powerboat World Championship back in Moscow, thanks to the Moscow government and host broadcaster 7TV.

"The UIM Powerboat Homologation Committee visited the Strogino site of the 2003 Russian Federation Grand Prix, seven kilometres from Moscow center, in mid-June and spelled out safety and other criteria for a good show and perfect organisation that needed to be met. Unfortunately, Pierre Bogdanov, President of the Russian Motonautique Federation has informed me that, for logistical reasons, the measures requested by the UIM have not yet been implemented.

"7TV, the official TV host broadcaster of the Grand Prix, will, however, provide live coverage of F1 Powerboat World Championship races for the rest of the 2003 season, which will continue to build awareness and interest in the sport in the Federation of Russia.

"The Russian Federation Grand Prix is postponed to next season, and a date on the 2004 calendar already is being considered. The new Strogino location will allow the FI Powerboats to compete on a much wider circuit, compared with Gorki Park where we used to race. There is a long tradition of boat racing in this country, and we are proud that Russia's Stanislav Kourtsenovsky (2) of the Zepter Team is competing in the 2003 UIM F1 Powerboat World Championship this season, alongside seven-time World Champion Guido Cappellini.

"The UIM 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 24 competitors representing 13 different nationalities. A total of 11 teams have registered for the 2003 World Championship, which will be televised 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 this year."

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:

Steve Michael Reporting - Philippe Stiernon F1 Press Officer

Photos: http://www.f1boatphotos.com