DAY 1 - Wednesday, November 20
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8:00 am Registration
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9:00 am - PLENARY SESSION Introduction by conference chair
Shirley Robertson
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9:10 am Opening keynote presentation by one of the sports' greatest personalities of our times
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Module 1 - SPORTS GOVERNANCE AND EVENT MANAGEMENT
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9:30 am Panel discussion: What future for the sport of sailing ?
Statistics indicate that our sport is declining. Sailing boat sales are down, and so is youth participation at sailing events. Who does what about it? And what can WE do about it?
Industry leaders share their thoughts.
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10:15 am Topical presentation: World Sailing presents their vision
By David Graham, World Sailing CEO
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10:35am Coffee break & Networking time
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11:05 am Youth Sailing: Securing the Future of Our Sport and Industry
What are the pathways to the top of the sport, and also to the yacht racing industry?
How can youngsters build a professional career in sailing?
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11:50 am What Makes a Winning Host? How Venues Can Attract Major Sporting Events
What are the challenges and opportunities for countries, MNA’s, yacht clubs, event organisers?
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12:35 Lunch Break & Networking time
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Module 2 - MARKETING, MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION
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2:00 pm Topical presentation: How can sailing do better in the media?
Jörg Müller-Dünow, Managing Partner, markenzeichen GmbH, analyses precise statistics and compares the sport of sailing with other disciplines such as Formula 1, cycling or skiing.
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2:20 pm Media review - who won the clicks race in 2025, how and why?
Leading journalists and media specialists discuss who did well and not so well this year, in the social media as well as print and TV.
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3:05 pm Panel discussion: Subject tbc
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3:50 pm Coffee break & Networking time
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Module 3 - A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
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4:20 pm Inside AI: Cutting-Edge Advances and What Lies Ahead
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5:25 pm Sport and industry leaders discuss sustainability with no borders or barriers, aiming to set clear, concrete and achievable goals for the industry.
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18:30 Day 1 closing remarks
Shirley Robertson
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Evening Reception
DAY 1 - Wednesday, November 20
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8:00 am Registration
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9:00 am - PLENARY SESSION Introduction by conference chair
Shirley Robertson
-
9:10 am Opening keynote presentation by one of the sports' greatest personalities of our times
-
Module 1 - SPORTS GOVERNANCE AND EVENT MANAGEMENT
-
9:30 am Panel discussion: What future for the sport of sailing ?
Statistics indicate that our sport is declining. Sailing boat sales are down, and so is youth participation at sailing events. Who does what about it? And what can WE do about it?
Industry leaders share their thoughts.
-
10:15 Topical presentation: World Sailing presents their vision
By David Graham, World Sailing CEO
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10:35 am Coffee break & Networking time
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Start of the DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM
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11:05 am Introduction By Design & Technology Symposium Chair Andy Rice
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11:10 am How Composite Materials are driving Sustainability, Digital Innovation, and Performance in the Marine Industry.
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11:55 Topical presentation on composite materials, detailed subject tbc
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12:15 pm Topical presentation, subject tbc
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12:35 Lunch Break & Networking time
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2:00 pm How can inclusive, gender-neutral boat design, tailored to both men and women, be improved?
Which classes and types of boats are most affected, and what can be done about it?
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2:30 pm The effects of heel and upwash on wind calculations
Chris Trodden, Head of Business Development, FT Technologies
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2:50 pm Powering performance - what are the new technologies and sources of power available?
What are the alternatives available, and what are the pros and cons between hydrogen, lithium batteries, LNG, ammonium…
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3:30 pm Topical presentation subject tbc
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3:50 pm Coffee break & Networking time
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4:20 pm What Learnings on Rigs and Battens from the America’s Cup and the Vendée Globe Are trickling down into Mainstream Sailing?
Designers, engineers and sailmakers discuss the positive outcomes from sailing’s leading events
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5:05 pm Topical presentation subject tbc
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3:30 pm Topical presentation subject tbc
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18:25 Day 1 closing remarks
Matthew Sheahan
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Evening Reception
DAY 2 - Thursday, November 21
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8:00 Welcome coffee & croissants
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9:00 am - PLENARY SESSION Introduction by conference chair
Shirley Robertson
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9:10 am Day 2 Opening keynote presentation by one of the sports' greatest personalities of our times
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9:30 SailGP Success Story
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9:50 SailGP case studies with some of the league's leading teams
What are the keys to a team’s success?
Beyond athletic performance, in which areas do the teams have to excel?
To what extent are teams truly sustainable and inclusive? -
10:10 pm Coffee break & Networking time
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10:45 How to bridge the gap between youth & amateur sailing and the top of the sport, SailGP and the America’s Cup
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11:05 Successful Event Management: Case Studies and Tangible Outcomes.
What are the recipes for success?
How can we enhance the appeal of sailing events?
How can we improve the inclusivity of sailing events?
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12:00 Lunch Break & Networking time
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13:15 - PLENARY SESSION Yacht Racing Image Award Winners Announcement
Celebrating the worlds’ best sailing photographers and yacht racing images taken in 2025.
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13:30 The Ocean Race Europe debriefing
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1:45 pm Lessons from the Vendée Globe 2024-25 and the future of the IMOCA Class
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3:00 pm Farewell Coffee break & Networking time
