The annual conference for the business of sailing and yacht racing is postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A virtual event reassembling some of the sports’ leading personalities from all over the world will be held on November 24. MaxComm Communication, organiser of the Yacht Racing Forum, and Host City Portsmouth (UK), announce the postponement of the event to November 2021 due to COVID-19.
“We have worked tirelessly to create a high quality event”, says Bernard Schopfer, the organiser of the Forum. “Unfortunately, recent developments and government regulations, travel difficulties and quarantine measures have forced us to take this difficult decision. Postponing the Forum to next year, two months prior to the event, is the only solution that provides clarity to our stakeholders.”
Mark Bowden, Portsmouth Harbour Marine, says: “We are naturally disappointed but there was no alternative. That said, we are pleased that this is a postponement, and that the Yacht Racing Forum will still be coming to Portsmouth next year. This will enable us to showcase south coast marine businesses and those from around the UK to an international audience in the stunning setting of Portsmouth Harbour.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners Portsmouth City Council and are convinced that the team from MaxComm will ensure that next year’s event will be exciting, relevant and ultimately rewarding for all those involved.
“We are confident that our sponsors will continue to support us as the marine industry looks at innovative and exciting opportunities to continue to develop.”
All the partnerships agreed for in 2020, as well as delegates tickets, will be transferred to the 2021 event.
A virtual Yacht Racing Forum will be organised on November 24.
This will be a short and punchy event, open to everyone and free. Chaired by Shirley Robertson, the Virtual Forum will reassemble some of the sports’ leading personalities from all over the world to discuss the post-Covid period and the measures to be taken to relaunch our sport and its industry after an almost blank year.
