The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) held its annual World Champions Awards Ceremony in Monaco on March 7, 2026, celebrating the achievements of the sport’s top drivers from the 2025 season.
More than 200 athletes, officials, and promoters attended the event, where over 70 world champions across multiple powerboat disciplines were honoured.
Mathilda Wiberg Named Driver of the Year
Sweden’s Mathilda Wiberg made history as the first woman to win the UIM F2 World Championship.
The 22-year-old racer from Åkersberga was crowned UIM Driver of the Year, receiving the award from Raffaele Chiulli, President of Union Internationale Motonautique.
Wiberg dedicated the moment to young girls in motorsport, saying:
“Anything is possible.”
Junior Driver of the Year: Paul Richard Laur
Estonia’s rising star Paul Richard Laur earned UIM Junior Driver of the Year after winning the UIM GT-15 Junior World Championship.
At just 16 years old, Laur also secured the Nordic Championship and finished runner-up in the European Championship.
Celebrating Champions Across the Sport
The evening also honoured major titles from the 2025 season, including:
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Emma Kimilainen and Sam Coleman for back-to-back E1 World Championship titles
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Shaun Torrente for his fourth UIM F1H2O World Championship
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Massimiliano Mordenti for setting a new eco-friendly Offshore Long Distance World Record
A Powerful Message Ahead of International Women’s Day
The highlight of the evening was Wiberg’s historic recognition on the eve of International Women's Day, reinforcing the importance of inclusivity, equality, and youth development in powerboat racing.
Click here to read the full press release.
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