UIM and University of Messina Sign Collaboration Agreement and New UIM World Record Set

The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) President Raffaele Chiulli signed an important collaboration agreement with the Rector of the University of Messina, Prof. Salvatore Cuzzocrea, to jointly develop several programmes and activities.

The UIM, which is a Member of GAISF and the Association of IOC Recognised International Sport Federations (ARISF), governs the sport of powerboating worldwide where technology is a core aspect. As such, the UIM had already accredited the University of Messina’s Nautical and Industrial Design Laboratories.

UIM and GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli, secured this historic collaboration agreement to ensure closer partnership in the future. The two organisations will work together on technical and scientific workshops, joint teaching programmes, research activities and projects, publications and knowledge and technology transfer. In addition, programmes and activities for researchers, PhD students and graduates will be created.

GAISF and UIM President Raffaele Chiulli said:

I am delighted that the UIM, which is among the oldest sports institutions in the world with a century of history, has signed this collaboration agreement with the University of Messina.

In this regard, concrete synergies between the two institutions are already in place. For example, verification tests on the safety cell of the Tommy One racing boat were conducted by the Nautical and Industrial Design laboratories of the University’s Engineering Department. These tests were key to allow the Tommy One boat (Kevlar and expanded PVC structure, weight 7,000kg, length 14.6 metres, two Seatek twin-turbo diesel engines each with 10,300 cc and 950 horsepower) to set a new UIM world record in the waters between Messina and the island of Vulcano. An incredible 70 miles between Messina-Vulcano-Messina was covered in just 51 minutes and 54 seconds. It was my honour to wave the chequered flag to Schepici and Montavoci, the pilots of Tommy One, when the new Pleasure Navigation category world record was achieved.

The Tommy One boat, new UIM World record holder