Fantastic lineup of speakers for the next Yacht Racing Forum in Bilbao

Fantastic lineup of speakers for the next Yacht Racing Forum in Bilbao © Yacht Racing Forum

The next Yacht Racing Forum, in Bilbao, Spain (November 25-26) will once again reassemble the sport's leading personalities in one place during two days to network, debate the future of the sport and make business.

The conference will be structured into thematic modules. It will start on Monday with sessions dedicated to Events, Races and Teams Management, during which personalities such as Stewart Hosford, Project Manager of Alex Thomson Racing, Dee Caffari or marketing expert Stéphanie Nadin will share their experience with the 300 delegates expected in Bilbao.

The afternoon will start with a new feature: the Yacht Racing Forum Business Speed Presentation, which will give Start-ups, new events and inventors the opportunity to present their projects in turn to the Forum's plenary assembly for about 8 minutes each.

The Forum speakers will then focus on our sports' governance and management. Andy Hunt, CEO, World Sailing, Ian Walker, Director of Racing, British Sailing Team, Olympic champion Mateusz Kusznierewicz, representing the Star Sailors League, Vicky Low or Alastair Fox, Director of Events at World Sailing, will be particularly interesting to hear in this context.

The second day will begin with a topical theme: sustainable development. Experts will tell us about the impact global warming has on competitive sailing, while 11th Hour Racing specialists will explain the importance of circular economy.

The sports' leading professional sailing events will be discussed after lunch, including sessions on the IMOCA class, the America's Cup and the Ocean Race. Max Sirena, skipper and team manager, Luna Rossa, Dee Caffari, skipper of 'Turn the Tide on Plastic' in the latest Volvo Ocean Race, Mike Golding, Stan Honey (professional sailor, businessman and technology developer) or Gianguido Girotti (Bénéteau CEO), are among those who will discuss the present and future of the sport.

Held on Day 1 alongside the " Business & Marketing " conference, the Design & Technology Symposium will focus on the sports' latest technology developments including foils, new materials and technologies, design and concepts. Some of the sports' most respected technicians, designers or engineers have already confirmed their participation, including Marc Van Peteghem, Juan K, Manolo Ruiz de Elvira, Ryan Breymayer, Jordi Arbusà and many more.

All sides of the sport will be represented at the Forum: International Federation, events, sports teams, media, sponsors, technical providers... The conferences will be interspersed with coffee & lunch breaks, which will provide opportunities for networking and business. Not to mention the gala evening, during which delegates will be able to taste Bilbao's gastronomic specialities and spend a good time together.

For more information visit www.yachtracingforum.com