Monaco, Montecarlo - Saturday, March 7 - An emotional Shaun Torrente received his fourth UIM F1H2O World Championship at the annual UIM Trophy Ceremony held in Monaco.
The Victory Team driver, who with four World Championships joins legends Scott Gillman and Alex Carella as the joint-second most decorated drivers in F1H2O history, was handed his award by UIM President Raffaele Chiulli and H2O Racing CEO Raimondo di San Germano.
Chiulli invited the audience to appreciate the incredible sporting feats required to become champions in such an intense sport, highlighting the “years of discipline, resilience and courage” needed to make it to the top.
The UIM President also brought attention to the often invisible heroes who make the sport possible: “Behind every World Champion is a dedicated team. In powerboat racing, your crew is everything. An engineer who fine tunes the engine to peak performance; a mechanic who works late into the night to ensure reliability; a coach who works on fitness; a strategist who studies data, weather, and water conditions. They are the unseen forces that make victory possible, and I would like to thank these people”.
Torrente then joined the stage to rapturous applause to collect his World Championship trophy.
The Florida-based driver returned to F1H2O racing last year having missed the 2024 season due to injuries picked up during the final race of the prior season. He took the opportunity to highlight the difficulty of his fairytale comeback, stating: “This one is extra special because we had a tough, tough [2023 season]. I didn't think I'd ever get to race these boats again - I didn’t think I’d be physically able”.
Amidst those challenging circumstances, Torrente reflected on the support that allowed him to reach his current heights. “The most consistent [inspiration] for the last thirty years is my wife”, Torrente proclaimed as he pointed to her in the audience. “She has an unwavering belief in me, so I can do anything”.
Family matters also for Alberto Comparato of the Comparato F1 Team, who was publicly thanked by his girlfriend, Mathilda Wiberg — the first woman ever to win a Powerboat World Championship and named UIM Driver of the Year. Mathilda added that her next goal is to compete in the F1H2O World Championship.
Mathilda, we are waiting for you.
