Yacht Racing Forum

05/11/2026

Two weeks to go to the Yacht Racing Forum

Taking place in Amsterdam on November 19–20, the Yacht Racing Forum will bring together some of the most influential personalities in international yacht racing to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the sport.

From the sports’ leading events to artificial intelligence, sponsorship, innovation, sustainability and new racing formats, the event will address the key issues facing competitive sailing and its industry.

This is the last opportunity to register for two days of networking, knowledge sharing and business opportunities with the people and companies shaping the future of our sport.

Competitive sailing offers numerous benefits and opportunities for businesses, host cities and technical suppliers alike. A great example takes place now: 115 yachts started the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe on 1 November, while 1.2 million people visited the race village in Saint-Malo. The challenge lies in knowing how to seize these opportunities, maximise their potential and deliver the expected return on investment. All these topics will be discussed at the Yacht Racing Forum.

Registration and more information: www.yachtracingforum.com
©AFP/FactStory

22/10/2026

YACHT RACING FORUM 2026 SET TO REASSEMBLE THE INTERNATIONAL SAILING INDUSTRY

In exactly one month, the Yacht Racing Forum will bring together leading figures from across the international sailing and yacht racing industry for two days of conferences, debate, networking and business.

Now in its 16th edition, the Forum is the annual business conference for the yacht racing industry, providing a unique meeting point for event organisers, professional teams and sailors, designers, engineers, marine industry executives, sponsors, venues, media and governing bodies.

This year’s programme will address some of the most important opportunities and challenges shaping the sport and its industry, from the future of sailing events and race formats to artificial intelligence, sponsorship, technology, participation, sustainability and commercial development.

23/09/2026

The future of sailing doesn’t happen by itself: It is shaped by people.

By designers imagining faster boats. Event organisers experimenting new formats. Teams proposing new solutions to partners. Sponsors questioning how the sport can deliver more value. And entrepreneurs bringing new ideas to the table.

Most of the year, these people are scattered around the world, focused on their own projects. For two days in Amsterdam, they come together.

The Yacht Racing Forum is the place where ideas are confronted, experiences shared and new relationships formed. The America's Cup and SailGP meet offshore racing. Technology meets business. AI experts show the latest solutions. Established leaders meet the next generation. And conversations started over coffee lead to projects that influence the sport for years to come.

Nobody knows exactly what yacht racing will look like ten years from now. But many of the people who will shape it will be in the same room in Amsterdam on November 19–20.

Don't miss the opportunity!

For more information and registration : yachtracingforum.com

18/09/2026

Discover the speakers of the next Yacht Racing Forum!

The complete list is available on our website: www.yachtracingforum.com.
Today, we feature:

—> Joe Lynch F CIM, CEO, ICOMIA

At the heart of the business and commercial development of our sport, Joe will join a panel discussion opening up the conference and discussing the State of the Industry, analysing how geopolitical and economic dynamics are shaping the sport of sailing.

—> Damian Foxall, coordinator, Marine Mammal Advisory Group

Damian is one of the sport’s most enthusiastic promoters, with a very strong focus on sustainability and marine species protection. He will discuss marine megafauna strike mitigation as a growing issue for race organizers, teams, and governing bodies, highlighting why proactive action matters for athlete safety, sustainability leadership, public perception, and the long-term social license of the sport.

—> Samantha Davies, professional sailor

Sam Davies’ track record is simply extraordinary: three Vendée Globe, two The Ocean Race, three La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec campaigns, and many other major races in which she has consistently excelled.
She will join a panel discussing the development and future of the IMOCA Globe Series Class.

—> Mattias Svenlin, Project Manager, Baltic Yachts Oy Ab Ltd Yachts

Mattias is one of the driving forces behind the innovative offshore foiler RAVEN, one of the world’s most radical sailing yachts, combining superyacht comfort with cutting-edge racing technology and foil-assisted performance. He will be one of three speakers in a session entitled “Discover the Most Spectacular New Race Boats of the Year.”

For the full conference programme and registration details, visit:
www.yachtracingforum.com

10/09/2026

Yacht Racing at its best! The Ocean RaceAtlantic delivered a great show today in Lorient, with the four leading boats crossing the arrival line in less than half an hour! Congratulations to Paul Meilhat' s team UNITED BY THE OCEAN, winner ahead of Francesca Clapcich's 11th Hour Racing and Kojiro Shiraishi's Sailing Team DMG MORI.

03/09/2026

Discover the speakers of the next Yacht Racing Forum!

The complete list is available on our website: www.yachtracingforum.com.
Today, we feature:

→ Philip Easthill, Secretary General of the European Boating Industry. At the heart of the business and commercial development of our sport, Philip will join a panel discussion opening up the conference and discussing the State of the Industry, analysing how geopolitical and economic dynamics are shaping the sport of sailing.

→ Jörg C. Müller-Dünow, Managing Partner Markenzeichen, will chair an important panel discussion on AI and Sailing: How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping the Business of our Sport.

→ Emma Hendy, Chief Commercial Officer at Doyle Sails International, is an expert of sponsorship; she will help us understand How to Convince Partners in a Challenging Economic Environment.

→ Antoine Mermod, CEO of the IMOCA Globe Series, will share the latest insights about the Class and present his vision for its future as well as the upcoming events including The Ocean Race and the Vendée Globe.

For the full conference programme and registration details, visit:
www.yachtracingforum.com

02/09/2026

Thank you Marine Industry News for the great article. As you rightly point out: "For businesses operating in yacht racing, the value of attending is not simply listening to keynote speakers or collecting industry predictions. It’s being part of the conversation and in the arena to test ideas with people from different parts of the industry, challenge assumptions and understand how other stakeholders see the same problems.
For companies dealing with recruitment, technology, sponsorship or commercial development, those conversations can have consequences well beyond the two days in Amsterdam."
Spot on!

The marine industry has no shortage of challenges to discuss. The harder question is where those discussions can translate into meaningful change. Last

31/08/2026

Discover the speakers of the next Yacht Racing Forum!
The complete list is available on our website: www.yachtracingforum.com.
Today, we feature:

→ Andraz Mihelin, CEO of Seascape and First Range Director at BENETEAU. One of the sport’s most creative minds, Andraz will join the panel “Race Formats: How Can We Make Sailing More Attractive and Appealing?”, exploring new ways to engage sailors, audiences and younger generations.

→ Richard Brisius, Executive Chairman of The Ocean Race. Two months before the start of the fully crewed round-the-world race, Richard will share the latest updates from the fully crewed round the world regatta and share his vision for the future of the event.

→ Stephan Kandler, Founder and CEO of K-Challenge. A leading figure in French high-performance sailing, Stephan heads both France SailGP Team and France’s America's Cup campaign. He will join our panel dedicated to the America’s Cup and its future.

→ Marialuisa Francia, Founder and CEO of P2M. A naval engineer and entrepreneur with extensive experience in high-performance yacht design and composite manufacturing, Marialuisa represents a new generation of industry leaders. She will join the panel “AI and Sailing: How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping the Business of Our Sport.”

For the full conference programme and registration details, visit:
www.yachtracingforum.com

25/08/2026

Four reasons to join the Yacht Racing Forum 2026 on 19–20 November in Amsterdam:

🌍 BUSINESS — Meet decision-makers, potential clients, partners and suppliers from across the global yacht racing industry.
🤝 NETWORKING — Connect with industry leaders in a focused, informal and highly interactive environment.
💡 KNOWLEDGE — Gain insights into the trends shaping the future of yacht racing, from AI and technology to sponsorship and event management.
🥂 FUN — Experience the friendly, informal spirit that makes the sailing community unique and celebrate together at the traditional Sailors’ Night.

See you in Amsterdam!