Sunday, November 20, 7:00 PM
Pre-event informal welcome drink
Co-hosted by Yachting Malta and World Sailing




DAY 1 - Monday, November 21
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8:30 Registration
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9:00 Opening Remarks
By Bernard Schopfer, Yacht Racing Forum organiser
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9:05 Introduction by Shirley Robertson
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09:10 Welcome message
By the government of Malta
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09:15 Opening keynote presentation
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09:35 Back on track? What is the state of our sport following a complete disruption of the organisation process ?
Sailing industry leaders discuss the present and future of yacht racing. With:
- Knut Frostad, President & CEO, Navico
- Gianguido Girotti, Deputy CEO in charge of brand & product strategy, Bénéteau
- David Graham, CEO, World Sailing
- Ken Read, President, North Sails
- Richard Brisius, CEO, The Ocean Race
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10:20 Coffee break
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Module 1 - THE SPORT OF SAILING IN A CHANGING WORLD
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10:50 LEGAL - Can (sailing) events be protected against cancellations for unforeseen reasons ?
Sarah Allan, partner, Penningtons Manches Cooper
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11:05 INSURANCES - Insuring boats, teams and events in challenging times: what should and what can’t be done.
Keith Lovett, Managing Director and Senior Underwriter, Stoneways Marine
Paul Miller, Director of Underwriting at Millstream Underwriting Limited Ltd
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11:25 Are we unique? Differences and similarities between sailing and other sports.
Richard Moore, CEO – Alter Agency
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11:45 What yacht racing can learn from Formula 1
By Cyril Abiteboul, former managing director and team principal of Renault F1, now managing director of CDK Technologies.
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12:05 Topical presentation tbc
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12:30 Lunch Break
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Module 2 : SPORTS GOVERNANCE AND BUSINESS
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14:00 Yacht Racing sponsorship: How can we attract more brands? What revenue streams are available to organisers?
Panel discussion with:
- Nathalie Quéré, Founder, W-Consulting
- Cyril Abiteboul, former managing director and team principal of Renault F1, now managing director of CDK Technologies.
- SailGP representative
- To be completed…
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14:45 Case study: Saudi Arabia. Developing a major events strategy to help build city brands and the role yachting can play
Samia Bagdady, CEO, Saudi Sailing Federation
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15:00 Continuing to move the inclusivity dial
Opening remarks by Victoria Low, with key stats from Participation Study and Census Study.
Followed by a panel with:
- Luca Rizzotti
- Annie Lush
+ Q&A Session
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15:40 Coffee break
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16:10 Climate Positive Pathways for the Marine Industry - With 11th Hour Racing
Panel discussion presented by Damian Foxall
With:
Alexandra Rickam, sustainability manager at World Sailing
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16:55 How can the yacht racing industry protect underwater fauna from collisions with sailing boats?
Renaud Bañuls, Founder, Bañulsdesign
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17:05 How can we increase participation in a declining market, and encourage the younger generation to join?
- Jonquil Hackenberg, Chair of The Magenta Project
- Alastair Fox, Chief of Events, World Sailing
- Clare Harrington, Rear Commodore, The New York Yacht Club
- Charlotte Kirk Elkjær, Chief Advisor at the City of Aarhus
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19:30 Evening reception & Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award Prize Giving Ceremony
DAY 1 - Monday, November 21
-
8.30 Registration
-
9.00 Opening Remarks
By Bernard Schopfer, Yacht Racing Forum organiser
-
9.05 Introduction by Shirley Robertson
-
9.10 Welcome message
By Yachting Malta
-
9:15 Opening keynote presentation
-
09:35 Back on track? What is the state of our sport following a complete disruption of the organisation process ?
Sailing industry leaders discuss the present and future of yacht racing. With:
- Knut Frostad, President & CEO, Navico
- David Graham, CEO, World Sailing
- Gianguido Girotti, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Groupe Beneteau
- Richard Brisius, CEO, The Ocean Race
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10:20 Coffee break
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DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM, Presented by B&G
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10:50 Latest technological developments from the America’s Cup
America’s Cup designers, engineers and technology developers discuss the latest technological developments from the Cup.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing representatives
…(+tbc)
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11:30 New electronic solutions for better performance
With: Knut Frostad, President & CEO, Navico
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11:50 Design advancements of Structured Luff technology
Mike Sanderson, CEO, Doyle Sails
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12:10 Topical presentation by Southern Spars, subject tbc
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12:30 Lunch Break
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DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM - afternoon session
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14:00 Latest foiling technologies and advances in foiling
Session chaired by Luca Rizzotti
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14:45 Squaring the circle: Foiling cruising racing fast yet comfortable catamarans
With:
Vincent Lauriot-Prévost (co-founder, VPLP)
Loïck Peyron
Benoît Lebizay, Managing Partner, Gunboat
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15:05 Sustainability in the development and construction of racing yachts
With:
Nico Voorzee, Structeam
Gary Owen, Lineat Composites/Carbon Fibre Recycling Alliance
Bénéteau
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15:40 Coffee break
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16:10 North Sails' latest technologies
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16:30 Topical presentation tbc
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16:55 The new wingsail and its future impact on the expansion of sailing
Hugues de Turckheim
Philippe Marcovich -
17:10 Latest evolution of high performance protective polymers for racing yachts
With: Pietro Parmeggiani, CEO, Protect Tapes
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17:25 Topical presentation tbc
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17:40 What is the impact of the new Ocean Race on IMOCA design and engineering?
Quentin Lucet, naval architect, VPLP
Mike Sanderson, past winner of the Volvo Ocean Race and CEO, Doyle sails
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19:30 Evening reception & Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award Prize Giving Ceremony


DAY 2 - Tuesday, November 22
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8.30 Registration
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9.00 Introduction by Shirley Robertson
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9:05 Keynote presentation by David Graham, CEO, World Sailing
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Module 3: Marketing & Media
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09:25 Latest trends in communication and marketing, and how can these be applied to our sport?
- Nic Douglas, also known as ‘Sailor Girl’, sailing journalist
- Chris Museler, Journalist, New York Times
- Scott Dougal, Director of Communications and Digital, World Sailing
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10:10 Social media in 2022: dos and dont’s
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10:30 Coffee break
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11:00 Yacht Racing photography, a technical and a commercial challenge
Jesús Renedo, yacht racing photographer
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11:15 Extreme and spectacular: is the professional side of the sport promoting - or harming - the business of the sport?
Mike Sandersen, CEO Doyle Sails
Cyril Abiteboul, former managing director and team principal of Renault F1, now managing director of CDK Technologies.
David Graham, CEO, World Sailing
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12:00 The Foiling Week: racing and much more
Luca Rizzotti, founder, The Foiling Week
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12:15 Lunch Break
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TOP OF THE SPORT, Presented by OC Sport
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13:45 Has SailGP come of age?
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14:05 Concrete case study: can a SailGP team be financially viable? The Canadian model.
Ian Wooden, General Partner, Canada SailGP Team
Jean-Sébastien Chénier Proteau, CEO, Canada SailGP Team
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14:20 SSL Gold Cup: Assessment, prospects and... a great winner!
Mateusz Kusznierewicz, Director, SSL Gold Cup
+ other panelists tbc.
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14:40 Why is the world suddenly discovering double-handed offshore sailing, and what’s good about it ?
Dee Caffari, Pro Sailor
+ other panelists tbc
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15:00 69F, the new series that has taken the world by storm
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15:15 Coffee break
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15:50 On the menu: Nine round-the-world sailing races!
The managers of the nine (!) round-the-world races planned for the near future present their concept and share their views.
Richard Brisius, The Ocean Race
Laura Le Goff, Vendée Globe
Don Mc Intyre, Golden Globe Race
Marco Nannini, Global Solo Challenge
Sam Holliday, The Race Around
…and hopefully senior representatives from:
- Ultim World Tour
- Globe 40
- Clipper Race
- Océan Globe Race
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16:35 The Famous Project - a female team led by Alexia Barrier to sail the Jules Verne Trophy
Alexia Barrier
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16:50 World Match Racing Tour: Where does it fit in the world of sailing nowadays?
James Pleasance, CEO, World Match Racing Tour
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17:05 What impact will the America's Cup new format have on mainstream sailing?
Personalities involved in the America’s Cup, in various capacities, debate the impact of the current Cup format on mainstream sailing.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing representatives
Clare Harrington, Rear Commodore, The New York Yacht Club
… (tbc)
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17:30 IMOCA and the Ocean Race: Two months to go!
Mike Sanderson, past winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, CEO, Doyle Sails
Richard Brisius, CEO, The Ocean Race
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19:30 Post event drinks reception provided by GAC Pindar
