Yacht Racing Forum announces official partnership

by Yacht Racing Forum on 5 Oct 2015 The Yacht Racing Forum is delighted to welcome the Volvo Ocean Race as an Official Partner. The leading annual conference for the business of sailing and yacht racing will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 7-8 December.

Geneva, September 30, 2015 - The Yacht Racing Forum announces a three years partnership with the Volvo Ocean Race, the world's premier crewed offshore race. ' We are delighted to welcome the Volvo Ocean Race as a long-term partner ', says Bernard Schopfer, the event’s CEO. ' We have been working hard at developing a new structure for the Forum, with a new team of dedicated people, new partners, a beautiful venue and an exciting programme. We regard this support from the Volvo Ocean Race as a strong mark of confidence, which we are proud of. '

Knut Frostad, the outgoing CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, has been an avid supporter of the Yacht Racing Forum since its debuts in Monte Carlo in 2008. He will once again be a speaker at this year's conference, looking back at what he has achieved as Volvo Ocean Race CEO over the years. ' The Forum is an important event for the international yacht racing community ', he says. ' It takes place out of the context of a race. People are therefore relaxed and accessible; they are available to network and do business. For example, the idea of the VO 65 used during the Volvo Ocean Race was born during the Forum in Estoril, in 2011. I am convinced that the Forum will carry on generating new ideas and positive developments for the sport. '

The Yacht Racing Forum will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 7-8. The event will attract some 300 people in one place at one time to do business and meet future clients: yacht clubs, athletes, sponsors, event organisers, designers, technical suppliers and anyone involved or just interested in yacht racing.

' Geneva is an excellent venue for the Yacht Racing Forum, located at the heart of Europe ', says Karin Bäcklund, Volvo Ocean Race commercial Director. ' The new organizers of the Forum are determined to organise a great event, with a long-term vision, and we support this effort. There will be a strong Volvo Ocean Race delegation in Geneva this winter! '

Founded in 1973, the Volvo Ocean Race is the leading round-the-world sailing race for teams, with a series of stops providing fans the chance to experience the In-Port Race series. Originally known as the Whitbread, the Volvo Ocean Race has become sailing's biggest offshore race and one of the most coveted prizes in the sport. It lasts for nearly nine months - the longest sport event in the world.