12th Yacht Racing Forum in Bilbao: Innovation and Progress

The 12th edition of the Yacht Racing Forum innovates, and proposes new concepts, subjects and speakers. The conference will bring together around 350 delegates, including the sports’ main decision-makers from all over the world. The leading events, venues, brands and sponsors will be in Bilbao, Spain, on November 25-26.

September 10, 2019 - The next edition of the Yacht Racing Forum, in Bilbao, will offer an interesting mix of conferences and presentations on current topics related to competitive sailing and the business of the sport. Sailing classes and events, the sports management, rules  & regulations will amongst other be discussed, alongside the latest technological developments from the America’s Cup, Ultime or IMOCA classes. The most interesting innovations will also be presented on some of our partners’ exhibition stands. 

"Our goal is to cover all aspects of competitive sailing. We do not want to be perceived as elitist; our objective is to cover the sport in its diversity and to assess and value the contribution of competitive sailing to the public and mainstream sailing", explains Bernard Schopfer, the organiser of the Forum.

More than 60 speakers have already confirmed their participation, including the sports’ leading personalities from all over the world (click here to discover the entire list of speakers). SailGP, the Class 40, the Ocean Race or the next Olympic Games will be presented in great detail by their key promoters, whilst a strong focus will be put on mainstream and youth sailing. 

The Yacht Racing Forum will feature many innovations this year, including a session entitled « New talent in sailing technology ». Presented by Dr Ignazio Maria Viola, Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, it will offer students involved in academic research on sails & foils the opportunity to present their research to their potential future employers. Students and youngsters will also benefit from a strong discount to access the Forum.

Among other new features, Christian Dumard will give a fascinating presentation on the effects of climate change on the sport of sailing, while Vicky Low will present the World Sailing Trusts’ strategic review on women in sailing. Our sustainability partner 11th Hour Racing will debate the « Business of sport and sustainability ». 

The Yacht Racing Forum will be chaired by some of the sports’ best experts and moderators, including Shirley Robertson, Andy Rice and Dobbs Davis, supported by Ken Read, Jeremy Pochman or Luca Rizzotti.

Two conferences will be held in parallel on day one, with the Design & Technology Symposium and the conference dedicated to the organisation, business and marketing of sport. The rest of the conference, on day two, will be held in plenary and will focus on topics of interest for all delegates, whether they are more technical or business oriented. The conference programme is nearing completion (there are still some opportunities; click here to discover the conference programme). 

As usual, the Yacht Racing Forum also promises to be a great and friendly social event, with drinks receptions and a gala evening reception provided by our host, Bilbao Bizkaia, Consorcio de aqua, Euskadiko Kirol Portua, Real Federación Española de Vela and Valencia Sports.