ISAF and Sunset+Vine to take 'World Sailing” to a global audience

by ISAF on 8 Dec 2015 The International Sailing Federation [ISAF], the world governing body of sailing, has revealed a new production initiative with Sunset+Vine|APP, the Oxford-based unit of the multi-award winning UK independent TV sports production and media company Sunset+Vine.

The two organisations have combined to create World Sailing, a monthly series designed to take the best of world sailing to a growing global audience for the sport. Matthew Sheahan, the former Racing and Technical Editor of Yachting World Magazine has been appointed as Series Editor.

World Sailing – a monthly 26-minute programme series - will run from January 2016 with an editorial focus on the build-up to the Olympics as well as coverage, personality features, background stories and news from the cutting edge of the sport.

World Sailing will be available to broadcasters worldwide from January 2016. The programme will be distributed by Sunset+Vine International which has already contracted 30 broadcasters to air the programme and is on course to convert another 20 broadcasters by early 2016; The Road to Rio has brought new interest to the series from Olympic rights holding broadcasters around the world.

The announcement follows confirmation earlier this year that Sunset+Vine|APP had been awarded a significant contract by the governing body to provide live host broadcast coverage and international news at the 2015 Sailing World Cup regattas in Hyères and Weymouth and Portland; and in 2016 the live output will include Miami, Hyères and Weymouth and Portland World Cup events.

Gary Jobson, Vice President of ISAF, commented, 'The launch of World Sailing is a real positive step toward quenching the appetite for sailing fans,

'Sailing can be engrossing. World Sailing will have the action to engross. But, it can also sometimes be intimidating for the new viewer. There is a lot happening around the globe and a lot happening within a specific race. World Sailing will bring information to them from an editor with a great track record. It will take the 'fear' out and put the fun back in to watching our amazing sport.

'World Sailing will become the go-to show for everything sailing. It will also give sailing a 'face' as we get to meet and feature personalities to get to know the real people behind the scenes as well as bringing the news and results. There will really be something for everyone.”

Andrew Preece, Managing Director of Sunset+Vine|APP said, 'The launch of World Sailing is a significant development for both ISAF and Sunset+Vine as we seek to provide an international platform for the world governing body on television and on digital channels and social media networks. As we move towards the Rio Olympics part of that commitment will be to providing a platform for Olympic classes coverage and personalities in the buildup.

'I am also proud that we have managed to sign a journalist of the standing of Matthew Sheahan to join our team. With his 24 years of experience in a senior role at Yachting World magazine Matt brings an unparalleled knowledge of the sport alongside a rigorous journalistic insight that will help make World Sailing an international focal point for sailing television and digital content.”

Matthew Sheahan, Series Editor and Sunset+Vine|APP Head of Performance Sailing, added, 'I am excited to be joining the world's leading sailing production company in a role that will allow me to utilise the knowledge, contacts and editorial skills that have been part of my career at Yachting World. The media landscape is changing rapidly and World Sailing is a significant development in the sport, so I am particularly proud to be taking the helm of this international series.”