Shaping the future of the sport

The maritime city-state of Singapore is hosting the 2024 World Sailing Annual Conference and World Sailing Awards on November 4-9, bringing over 400 delegates and some of the world’s best sailors together to shape the future of the sport and celebrate the achievements of the past year.

Representatives from across the sailing world, including volunteers, sailors, event organizers, committee members, Member National Authorities (MNAs), Class Associations, boat manufacturers, and the World Sailing Board and Council will convene to review and discuss World Sailing’s strategy for the coming year and beyond, making and ratifying key decisions that will impact sailing at every level, from elite professionals to recreational sailors.

In advance of the Conference, World Sailing received submissions from across the sailing world proposing changes to existing regulations, policies, and rules. Committees, MNAs, Class Associations, and the Board of Directors were all eligible to propose the submissions in advance of the Annual Conference.

In a change to this year’s Annual Conference, World Sailing’s Council will meet four times throughout the week to provide more opportunities for Members to interact with the Board before the final meeting on November 9 to approve, reject, or defer the recommendations and proposals from the Committees and will ratify proposals at the Annual General Meeting.

This includes the Governance reform proposals approved at the 2022 World Sailing Annual Conference, which will be presented for formal approval.

“This is a chance to reflect upon one of the busiest years in sailing and look ahead to the next quad with renewed focus,” said David Graham, CEO of World Sailing. “This is a great opportunity for the community to come together, share suggestions for the wider benefit of the entire sport, champion our successes, and share ideas for where we can improve, and speak openly about the opportunities and challenges facing the sport we all love.

“The World Sailing Awards will once again celebrate the very best of the sport, and in a year where the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the 37th America’s Cup, and Youth Sailing World Championships in Lake Garda will all be fresh in the mind, we expect to shine a spotlight on the newly-crowned champions and celebrate the diversity of sailing.”

World Sailing Presidential, Vice-Presidential, Board and Council elections will also take place during the Annual Conference. Votes will be cast at the General Assembly and World Sailing MNAs will be invited unless not entitled to under Article 12 of the Constitution.

Further information on the conference, including the submissions, agendas and supporting papers, is available on the World Sailing website.

The Annual Conference open sessions will be streamed live on the World Sailing YouTube channel.

Source: World Sailing