The 24-year-old was competing at the O350 International Ordinary Race in Traben-Trarbach, part of the German Championship, on Sunday (October 2).

Rossi, who represents Germany, collided with a tree after he was thrown out of his boat and suffered fatal head injuries.

All subsequent races at the competition were cancelled.

Question marks have been raised about Rossi’s death, with Vincenzo Iaconianni, President of Italy's Powerboat Association, reportedly claiming the course was unsafe and dangerous.

“This would never have happened with our regulations,” he was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.

As a result, the UIPM has confirmed it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Rossi, who won the world 0-250 class title in August of this year.

“The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) mourns the death of driver Massimo Rossi following an accident in the O350 International Ordinary Race counting for the German Championship in Traben-Trarbach, Germany,” the UIM said in a statement.

“The O350 and O250 World Champion, Massimo Rossi, 24, suffered the accident without third party involvement in the second heat of the O350 race held on the Moselle River.

“All racing events scheduled after the tragic accident were cancelled and an investigation into the circumstances of the accident has been launched.

“The International Powerboat Federation is deeply grieved by this tragedy and the thoughts and condolences of the whole UIM and powerboating community are with the family, friends and team-mates of Massimo Rossi.”

British official Phil Stacey, who was overseeing the OSY 400 and O500 European Championship races which were part of the powerboating event in Traben-Trarbach, added: “I am deeply saddened by this tragedy, which has taken away from us a promising young driver.”

insidethegames has requested further comment from the UIM.