ABU DHABI, U.A.E. - Tuesday, February 23, 2010 – Professional veteran photographer Paul Lakatos proved once again why he is one of the best photographers in the sport of powerboating worldwide by winning the prestigious 12th Annual UIM Photo Competition announced recently in the principality of Monaco.

In all, some 198 images made it to the judging stages in categories from “Aquabike” to “Offshore.” The pictures were judged by the jury taking into account the usual criteria of creativity, technical quality, composition, subject matter and overall impact with the total points scored deciding the winners in each category.

Paul, who is a native of Hungary who now makes his home in Thailand and also works on the
 Asian Professional Golf Tour when not covering powerboat racing, took first place and the Gold Medal with 106 total points while working for this past season's 2009 UIM F1 H2O World Championship tour. The 29 year racing circuit this past season traveled to countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East during it's nine month 16 race event season.

Finishing in the runner-up position in the competition was Serbian photographer Milan Teodorovic of Belgrade who scored 99 points earning a Silver Medal. Milan, somehow found time to get an award winning photograph, while maintaining his duties as the official Producer for the Worldwide Television broadcasting of the F1 series working with SBP Productions of Rome, Italy. He also is the designer of the annual UIM F1 H2O Yearbook which is expected out shortly featuring the just completed 2009 campaign.

Taking third place and the Bronze Medal was likeable Italian veteran photographer Vittorio Ubertone who scored a 96 on one of his photographs again featuring the UIM F1 H2O racing series. Ubertone, like his fellow photographers has years of experience and knows just the right position to put himself in to gain the perfect photo that brings out the personality, speed and excitement of the sport of powerboat racing.

The best three images in the opinion of the jury are published in the UIM yearbook and can also be viewed on the website www.uimpowerboating.com along with the full list of results.

Be In The Know – With F1 H2O!