International Sailing Summit Delegates Address Future of Sailing

Thirty sailing luminaries representing the global sailing industry gathered in Valencia, Spain this past May at the site of the America’s Cup competition to share best practices and discuss the future of sailing. This was the eighth year for this significant gathering organized by founder and Chairman Alistair Murray of Ronstan, and co-hosted this year by ISS Patron Bruno Troublé.

Despite the lack of wind on the America’s Cup race course, there was plenty of lively discussion as ISS delegates shared reports from their respective areas of expertise.

Jason White of The Sailing Company reported on the state of the U.S. sailing market, with additional national reports by Malav Shroff of India and Jonathan Banks of Sail America. Edward Leask of Fast Track chaired a session on the future of sailing events, while Bruce Edwards of West Marine, and a Sail America board member, chaired a session on the development of sailboats, equipment and technology. Tony Rice of ICOMIA and Ian Atkins of boats.com also addressed  various aspects of sailing’s future and the challenges ahead.

“As a first-timer to the Summit I was impressed by the professionalism and openness of the assembled group,” said Volvo Ocean Race Director Andy Hindley. Added West Marine’s Edwards, “The ISS again provided me a unique avenue to meet other industry leaders, discuss ideas, come up with some creative thoughts on how to solve mutual challenges, and probably most importantly, learn new ideas about how we can grow our own business in concert with others in the industry.”

For more information about the specific ISS findings, contact Alistair Murray. The ninth ISS will be held in conjunction with the 2008 Paris Boat Show in December and will feature a mix of leading industry and non-industry experts, plus detailed reports chronicling the successes of the French sailing contingent.        

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