ABU DHABI - Tuesday, March 17, 2015 - H2O Racing Powerboat Promotion has confirmed that the UIM F1H2O World Championship is returning to France for the first time in eight years with round 2 of the 2015 season, the Grand Prix of France in Evian, set to take place on 26-28 of June.

The announcement was made jointly by H2O Racing President Nicolo di San Germano and Evian event organizer Claude Pacouil in Qatar with the traditional handing over of the F1H2O flag from one venue to the next. "We are truly excited about coming back to France and this wonderful setting in Evian," stated Nicolo di San Germano. "Racing on Lake Geneva in June will be a perfect setting for the championship and a rich tradition that is once again reignited in our racing history in France."

The city of Evian is elegantly perched on the border between France and Switzerland and its waters are internationally renowned for its healing qualities that lure health-conscious visitors from around the world.

The country of France has been a mainstay in the history of F1H2O racing starting with its first Grand Prix in the inaugural season in 1981 with a total of 17 Grand Prix held in Lyon, Chalon-Sur-Soane and La Rochelle over the years.

France has produced nine different drivers over the years in the sport, but none has shone brighter than current World Champion Philippe Chiappe who captured the title a year ago in dramatic fashion by winning the last two races of the season from pole position to give France their first World Champion in the history of F1 powerboat racing. "This will be a real treat for me and a great memory getting a chance to race in my home country," said Philippe. "I am so pleased that we can race in an area of the country that I truly love and can't wait to arrive to start a true celebration of F1 in France for the first time since 2007."

The event will mark back- to-back races on the European continent during the summer of 2015. The Grand Prix of Portugal is also on the calendar and scheduled for the 1-2 August, the first time that a F1H2O race has taken place in the historic city of Porto.

Continue to follow all the latest news of the 2015 UIM F1H2O World Championship by going to the official website of the tour at f1h2o.com.

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