UIM President, Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, and UIM Secretary General Thomas Kurth attended the 114th edition of the APBA Annual Meeting held in Chicago reports the UIM.

Welcomed by Howie Nichols, newly elected President of the American Power Boat Association (APBA) and Fred Hauenstein, UIM Senior Vice-President, President Chiulli was particularly impressed by the level of quality and exchange that marked the convention.

This event is a great platform and opportunity to learn, share and interact.
I understand this is the first time – and I hope not the last ! – that a UIM President crosses the pond to attend the Annual APBA Meeting and to listen in person to the voice of the American Powerboat Sport.
Our National Federations, like the APBA, are uniquely placed to promote and develop our sport, as you have a direct channel to your people.

The APBA Awards Gala was another highlight of the presidential visit, allowing the UIM delegation to meet with the APBA Champions and key players, including the 20 inductees of the APBA Hall of Fame.

The evening saw Fred Hauenstein awarded with the highest recognition, the Charles. D. Strang ‘Ultimate Service Award’ while Howie Nichols and Mark Wheeler were awarded with the ‘Honor Squadron’ inductee and the ‘Don Allen Senior Memorial Leadership Award’ respectively.

Chiulli continued:

I was amazed to see APBA’s racers and officers’ passion and dedication to preserve and valorise the history of our loved sport of powerboating.

In conclusion, the UIM President underlined his willingness to further develop the cooperation between the APBA and the UIM and he qualified this visit as the:

Beginning of a new era of cooperation.