Issued on behalf of World Sailing
World Sailing President Quanhai Li and CEO David Graham have praised the success of the 2025 World Sailing Annual Conference, which culminated in the election of two female Vice Presidents, ensuring a gender-balanced Board as mandated by the federation’s new constitution.
Sophia Papamichadopoulos OLY (CYP), an Olympian and founder of the Winds of Change initiative, alongside Corinne Migraine (FRA), vice chair of the World Sailing Oceanic and Offshore Committee, were elected to the Board during the World Sailing General Assembly, which is part of the Annual Conference proceedings.
The General Assembly was the final meeting of the 2025 World Sailing Conference held in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, which featured the World Sailing Council, the World Sailing Awards, and in-person meetings for various Committees and Commissions.
This event received support from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Failte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority for Ireland, and Irish Sailing, representing the national federation for the sport in Ireland.
Following the Conference, the new Vice Presidents joined their first Board meeting on the Sunday immediately after the elections.
President Quanhai Li expressed congratulations to Sophia and Corinne, stating, “I was delighted to welcome them to their first Board meeting and look forward to collaborating with them throughout the quad. They bring considerable expertise, and their election reflects the strength of the new World Sailing Constitution, which guarantees gender balance among our Vice Presidents.”
Li also acknowledged the contributions of the other candidates during the election process and expressed gratitude towards the World Sailing Elections Panel for their oversight. He extended thanks to the event hosts, citing the heartfelt Irish hospitality experienced in one of the world’s great sailing communities, with special mentions of Irish Sailing and the Royal St George Yacht Club, the Royal Irish Yacht Club, and the National Yacht Club for their hospitality.
CEO David Graham remarked on the week’s accomplishments, indicating, “This has been a successful week for sailing—meeting, debating, and agreeing on actions to tackle significant opportunities and challenges facing our sport.” He noted progress toward preparations for the LA28 Olympic Games as well as the bid for inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games, mentioning the groundwork laid for the 2027 World Sailing Championships to be hosted in Fortaleza and Gdynia.
During the World Sailing Awards, hosted beautifully by the Royal St George Yacht Club, two outstanding offshore sailors were named Rolex World Sailor of the Year: Charlie Dalin and Justine Mettraux, both deserving role models for the sport. While Justine could not attend due to her participation in the Café l’Or Transat, it was highlighted that Charlie was present and celebrated during the event. Graham remarked on the remarkable quality of finalists this year, stating any of them would have been worthy winners.
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