COnference Program 2025

Bruno Dubois’ extraordinary career began with the Mini Transat in 1983. After racing major events like Québec–Saint-Malo and the Whitbread, he spent 25 years at North Sails, working with the world’s top offshore and America’s Cup teams. Since 2014, he has managed elite crews including Dongfeng (winners of the 2018 Volvo Ocean Race), Groupama Team France, and SailGP, and in 2023 rejoined the America’s Cup with Stéphane Kandler.

What are the pathways to the yacht racing industry and to the professional sport? How can youngsters build a professional career in sailing? This session will be split into two parts:

1) Commercial

2) Sportive

With:

Joe Lynch, CEO, ICOMIA

Simon Keijzer, Marketing Communication, Marit Bouwmeester Academy

Ana Čalić, Chief Commercial Officer, Navela

Niels Klarenbeek, Director Maritime Events, RAI

Bruno Dubois, Team Manager, France SailGP Team

David Graham, CEO, World Sailing

Statistics indicate that sailing boat sales are decreasing, and so is youth participation. Who does what about it? And what can WE do about it?

Industry leaders share their thoughts in this panel discussion chaired by Dan Jaspers, Managing Partner, Pindar & Co.

With:

Pip Woods, Director, Royal Yachting Association

Andraz Mihelin, CEO Seascape, First Range Director, Beneteau

Richard Moore, CEO, Alter-Agency

Corinne Migraine, Vice-President, World Sailing

Linda Bomhof, Project Manager, TIG Sports & Events

How can we enhance the appeal of sailing events, attract more media and sponsors? How can we improve the inclusivity and sustainability of sailing events? What are the recipes for success?

With:

Jeremy Wilton, CEO, RORC, organiser of the Admiral’s Cup 

Ferran Muniesa, CEO, Trofeo Princesa Sofia (ES)

Alexandra Rickham, Sustainability Manager, World Sailing

Giorgio Benussi, Secretary General and Sport Director, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

Stratis Andreadis, Co-founder Spetses Classic Yacht Race

What are the challenges and opportunities for countries, cities, MNA’s, yacht clubs, event organisers?

Massimo Mancini, Head of Corporate Identity & Sponsorships at Generali, naming sponsor of Barcolana

Meg Reilly, Marketing Chair, Caribbean Sailing Association

Adrian Peet, General Manager, AMAALA Yacht Club

James Pleasance, Executive Director, World Match Racing Tour

The water in marinas is often polluted by residues from cleaning products used on racing sailboats. Non-biodegradable soaps, detergents, and other solutions have a serious impact on marine flora and fauna — an impact that can be avoided by using biodegradable alternatives. Luca Manzoni, CEO of Nuncas, presents the latest research on this topic.

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.

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.

With:

Peter Rusch, Director of Communications at The Ocean Race

Helen Fretter, Editor, Yachting World

Julia Castro, Social media expert and professional kitesurfer

Mark Jardine, Managing Editor, Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com

Ed Bell, Project Manager, Magic Carpet ᵉ, and Mark Somerville, CTO & Marine Race Director at Persico, share the Hidden Technology Beneath one of the World’s Most Advanced Maxi Yachts.

Chris Trodden, Head of Business Development. FT Technologies 

Panel discussion chaired by Andy Rice

With:

Paolo Manganelli, Head of Engineering, Gurit
Simon Watin, Managing Partner, VPLP Design
Imogen Dinham-Price, Sustainability Manager, IMOCA Class