Amsterdam to host sailing’s brightest minds
The Yacht Racing Forum (YRF) — the world’s premier conference for professional sailing and yacht-racing — returns to Amsterdam on 20–21 November 2025, coinciding with the closing day of METSTRADE, the global marine-equipment exhibition.
Now in its 15th edition, the Forum will once again unite designers, sailors, engineers, and event organisers to discuss the commercial and technical future of yacht racing. The 2024 event attracted nearly 300 delegates from 28 nations, and organisers expect an even stronger turnout this year.
Coutts to close the forum
The final day’s keynote will be delivered by Sir Russell Coutts, the New Zealand sailor whose résumé spans Olympic gold, five America’s Cups, and his ongoing leadership of SailGP.
Coutts’ address is expected to explore the evolution of high-performance racing, the global expansion of SailGP, and how commercial and environmental sustainability are redefining the sport.
His presence underscores New Zealand’s enduring influence in international yacht racing — from Emirates Team New Zealand’s technological innovation to SailGP’s push for renewable-powered events and gender-diverse crews.
Industry and innovation
The Forum’s Day 1 programme will feature Bruno Dubois (Team France, SailGP, Volvo Ocean Race) as opening keynote speaker, followed by Shirley Robertson and World Sailing CEO David Graham in a plenary discussion titled “What future for the sport of sailing?”
The afternoon Design & Technology Symposium will cover topics central to the marine industry’s future:
- advances in sustainable composites and recyclability
- inclusive boat design and accessibility
- aerodynamic optimisation through heel and upwash modelling
- and next-generation power systems, from hydrogen to lithium and LNG.
Day 2 will focus on event management, elite-to-grassroots pathways, and lessons from Vendée Globe 2024–25, culminating in Coutts’ keynote and the announcement of the Yacht Racing Image of the Year award.
A global industry crossroads
Among the confirmed participants are representatives from SailGP, The Ocean Race, IMOCA Class, the Admiral’s Cup, and Amaala Yacht Club, the event’s new title partner.
Located on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, Amaala Yacht Club is a flagship Red Sea Global project that will host The Ocean Race in 2027. Its leaders, Rosanna Chopra and Adrian Peet, will present the development’s sustainability vision to delegates.
1080 Media TV, a long-standing supporter of the Forum, joins as the official production partner, ensuring global broadcast coverage across marine and sports networks.
Why it matters for New Zealand
The overlap with METSTRADE — a major platform for Kiwi exporters — makes the Yacht Racing Forum an ideal continuation for New Zealand’s marine-technology and equipment manufacturers already attending the Amsterdam show.
With Coutts taking the stage and Gurit, Beneteau, and Spinlock among participating brands, the Forum cements its position as the international meeting ground for racing innovation, from foils and composites to governance and sustainability.
For the Kiwi sailing community, it’s another reminder that New Zealanders continue to help steer the global conversation about where yacht racing is headed — on the water, in the boardroom, and in the boatyard.
