Malta to play host to the 2022 Yacht Racing Forum

Key Industry Players expected to be in Malta for two-day conference

Yachting Malta and the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects announced that the 2022 Yacht Racing Forum will be hosted in Malta in November 2022. 

The Yacht Racing Forum is the only business to business conference that brings together, over 300 key players from across the whole yacht racing industry, giving them the opportunity to discuss the challenges the industry and sport are facing and to share best practices.   The first Yacht Racing Forum took place in 2008 in Monaco.  Since then the Forum has been hosted annually, bar for a two year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021,  in some of Europe’s prominent naval cities. 

Throughout the two-day conference, key personalities and industry influencers will visit Malta for two full days of discussions on the latest technologies, innovations and challenges in the sport are discussed by individuals who are very much involved and are considered to be pioneers and influential in their respective areas.

The hosting of the 2022 Yacht Racing Forum is the result of Yachting Malta’s efforts to consolidate Malta’s position as an international hub for major events such as Rolex Middle Sea Race, the Bailli de Suffren, the Euromed Regatta and the B’Bugia International Regatta. 

“The Yacht Racing Forum is the  perfect opportunity to showcase Malta’s potential for high calibre sailing events particularly since the Forum attracts all industry major players from pro athletes and teams, Yacht Clubs, sponsors, yacht designers and engineers, technical suppliers, event managers as well as marketing and media houses” explained Yachting Malta Chairman John Huber. “Malta has always sought to position itself as a key player in the international yachting sphere and  therefore, the value of having this event in Malta shall not only be to bring the crème de la crème of yachting but to also physically showcase Maltain its offering. This shall be a benchmark initiative when we bid for other events.”

The Yacht Racing Forum, has since inception discussed topics which include elite racing events – America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, Route Du Rhum etc,  technological developments in the sport – foiling, new materials, sustainability technology,  the inclusion of sailing in the Olympic Games, yacht racing governance. 

Hon. Dr Ian Borg, Minister for for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects expressed his satisfaction that events such as the Yacht Racing Forum will once again be showcasing Malta and giving a first hand experience of what the island can offer to those attending. 

“It will be a great pleasure and privilege to host all participants of the Yacht Racing Forum in 2022. Malta has always been a key player in the maritime sector and the Yacht Racing Forum will be the perfect opportunity to showcase Malta as a centre of excellence. We look forward to positive outcomes from this event for a stronger and holistic maritime sport and industry.” Dr Borg added. 

MaxCom Event Organiser Bernard Schopfer commented that the hosting of the Yacht Racing Forum in Malta in 2022 was excellent news, particularly after two difficult years.   The Yachting community has already experienced what Malta has to offer in 2016 and they will be looking forward to a high quality event.

“The Yacht Racing Forum will be held in an exceptional venue and supported by a dedicated, committed and highly experienced community who understand the commercial value of the event.  I am confident that this will be the best edition of the Forum ever.” 

The Yacht Racing Forum will take place in Malta in November 2022