Gillie new chairman

New but familiar face to front this December's World Yacht Racing Forum

The World Yacht Racing Forum is delighted to announce America’s Cup veteran and former World champion sailor Peter Gilmour as Chairman of the World Yacht Racing Forum 2009. Gilmour assumes the role from Pat Lilley, Chairman of the inaugural Forum last December in Monaco. The Forum will appoint a new Chairman each year.

“I am very proud to have been asked as Chairman for the next World Yacht Racing Forum and it is a neat idea to rotate this role each year”, commented Peter Gilmour. “The first Forum last year in Monaco was simply outstanding. We learnt so much from the presentations; especially the IP [intellectual property] that many shared has lifted our operational skills to a new level. We are flat out implementing a lot of the clever concepts and technology into our current projects. The World Yacht Racing Forum is the best platform to share and learn from the views of some of the leading players in the sailing industry. It is an event made by and for the professionals in the yacht racing industry.”

As 2009 Chairman, Gilmour will assist the organisers in helping to select topics and speakers for the Forum. As a successful professional sailor and event promoter, Gilmour has been involved in the business of yacht racing over the last 25 years and has seen the sport evolve both as a competitor, team manager and event organiser. A six time America’s Cup veteran and four time world match racing champion, he currently runs the Monsoon Cup event in Malaysia as well as competing on the World Match Racing Tour. Last year, he was also Bid Director for Perth’s successful bid to host the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.

Gilmour's Cup career began with the 1987 defense in Perth, Western Australia, when he was the starting helmsman for the Kookaburra syndicate, which ultimately lost the America's Cup. He has since been through five other Cups, most recently with Craig McCaw and Paul Allen's One World Challenge of Seattle (2003) and the Alinghi team in 2007.

“I am delighted Peter has accepted to be Chairman of the Forum for 2009” commented Event Director James Pleasance. “He knows the business of yachting inside out and his input and advice will be invaluable in helping us build on the success of last year’s first event.”

The 2009 World Yacht Racing Forum will take place on December 9-10 in Monaco. The event will welcome new experts and personalities from the yacht racing scene and will introduce a number of new discussion topics to be announced shortly. The two-day Forum will co-locate once more with the Motorsport Business Forum at the Grimaldi Forum venue. Delegates will have access to the networking areas of both Forums including a jointly hosted reception on the 9th December.