Photo: Royal Bermuda Yacht Club

News Release: Hamilton, Bermuda — More than 400 delegates from 68 nations are headed to Bermuda starting this weekend for the nine-day World Sailing 2019 Annual Conference.

The event, running October 26–November 3 at the Fairmont Southampton, is the result of a winning bid in November 2017 by the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) to host the prominent group, the global governing body for the sport. The conference brings together delegates in a series of meetings throughout the week to make key decisions impacting the future of sailing for both professional and recreational athletes. Attendees include sailors with experience in multiple disciplines of the sport, event organisers, Member National Authorities (MNAs), Class Associations, boat manufacturers and committee members.

“We’re thrilled to welcome World Sailing delegates to Bermuda for this prestigious conference,” said BTA CEO Kevin Dallas. “Not only does this partnership bolster our visitor economy with its impressive delegate numbers, but it also highlights our island’s maritime heritage and Bermuda’s growing reputation as a world-class cruising, chartering and sailing destination. Bringing sport delegates out here will only help encourage them to attract more sailing events to the island in future.”

A series of events takes place over the course of the conference, including commission meetings and forums on sailing regulations and policies and events of competition and celebration:

  • Mini-Regatta—noon–3 pm, Monday, October 28—The Sail Insight app, powered by SAP, will be presented at the Fairmont Southampton. To demonstrate this in action, a fleet from the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club will carry the app onboard with real-time insights and a live stream from the water showcased to delegates
  • eSailing World Championships (2–2:30 pm, October 29)—Eight of the top eSailors will battle for victory on a digital platform called Virtual Regatta, a community of more than a million players hosted by World Sailing. The final will be live-streamed across World Sailing’s YouTube and Facebook channels
  • World Sailing Awards (Tuesday, October 29)—This ticketed event includes the eSailing World Championship Trophy and the coveted Rolex World Sailor of the Year honours for the sailor crowned the best of the best in international sailing over the last 12 months

“Bermuda is a nation with sailing at its core,” noted World Sailing President Kim Andersen.

“In recent years, the island has been at the forefront of the sailing world with its hosting of the America’s Cup. That legacy is evident, and the sport has grown here as a result. World Sailing is delighted to be in Bermuda for its Annual Conference.

“Many of the delegates know Bermuda very well, and alongside the discussions and debates, we’re sure they will also enjoy experiencing everything the island has to offer.”