News

Monday, March 17: Anthony Radetic was named as the new ambassador of the UIM for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the annual awards’ ceremony for the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship and the UIM F1H2O World Championship in Monaco on Saturday night.

The 45-year-old American sporting all-rounder and esteemed aquabike rider is a paraplegic racer who has overcome the disability he incurred after a motorcycle accident to challenge the very best in the demanding world of aquabike racing. He finished second in the 2024 UIM-ABP Aquabike World Endurance Championship and has been a regular competitor in the championship for several seasons.  

The Alabama-based racer said: “I am truly honoured and privileged to accept this award as the UIM Ambassador. Hopefully this will motivate people to do more in life. It all started (aquabikes) when my wife suggested it. I needed that fix of adrenaline from the ski. Water sports was where it was at.

“Obviously, I have a passion for racing and the aquabiking community has been so supportive and I have been able to travel the world competing with them. It has been easy to follow my passion. When someone faces the challenges that I have faced, I think the best advice is to find the passion and learn how to adapt and accept the possibilities ahead.”

UIM President Raffaele Chiulli added: “As an international sport organisation, we need to promote the values of diversity, equity and inclusion. Now we have Anthony Radetic as an ambassador for the UIM. I think he can give a lot of positive energy and a lot of inspiration to the new generation that were here in Monaco. They need role models; they need ambassadors like Anthony. In one second, your life can change. After an initial period of depression, he has reacted very positively and he has turned a new track in his life into a great opportunity.”

Winners from both the 2024 UIM-ABP Aquabike Circuit Pro and Endurance World Championships received their awards at the prize ceremony, in addition to winners of the various categories in the UIM-ABP European Continental Championship. Among the winners present were Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Mulla, François Medori, Quinten Bossche and Morgan Poret.

Two trophies for Swedish rider Samuel Johannson and Estonian Jasmiin Ypraus, who have been crowned World Champions not only in their respective categories, Runabout GP1 and Ski Ladies GP1, but also in the Parallel Slalom World Championship.