This article contains almost no original content by Yachtsponsorship.com writers. While we really do hate the trend of ‘cut and paste’ web content and strive to add some comment and opinion, in some cases it doesn’t add anything. Yet, we think that this story should be of interest to our audience so we offer it almost 100% as it was written by the PR people at US Sailing. In the future, stories about Sailing jobs will be published on the Dark Blue Book.

US Sailing, the National Governing Body of the sport, has officially appointed Jack Gierhart as Executive Director. Gierhart has served as the organization’s acting Executive Director since October of 2010 following the retirement of Charlie Leighton. He had served as the Associate Executive Director since November of 2009.

More than 80 individuals were considered for the position and seven candidates with a wide range of experience, expertise and perspective were evaluated by the Search Committee in interviews and through referencing. Gierhart was selected from this thorough process to lead US Sailing.

US Sailing President Gary Jobson said:

Jack has played an integral role with the organization for over six years and brings a wealth of experience to US Sailing. We look forward to working with Jack in the coming years.

Gierhart said

‘I am very excited about this opportunity to work with the board, our volunteers, and staff. We have a great team here at US Sailing, and with our current momentum there is a lot of opportunity. We will continue to focus on improving our core programs, but also look forward to new ideas, initiatives and strengthening support of local sailing organizations that are critical to the future of sailing in the United States.’

Gierhart has garnered over 20 years of sales, marketing, and general management experience in the technology and marine industries. He has spent over six years at US Sailing in two separate stints. Gierhart first joined US Sailing in 2002 as the organization’s 1st Marketing Director. During his four years as marketing director, he managed the marketing, sponsorship, web, and licensing programs. Since re-joining the US Sailing in 2009, Gierhart has been focused on growing the organization’s membership base and improving the overall information technology infrastructure, content management and outgoing communications initiatives.

Prior to his return to US Sailing, Gierhart was the founder and CEO of MessageSherpa, an online communications company, from 2007 to 2009. As Executive Vice President of Nautor’s Swan U SA, Gierhart was responsible for developing strategies and implementing sales, marketing, and customer service plans to reinvigorate U.S. business for the company. During his six years with IBM, Gierhart served as a Global Sales and Business Development Manager where he developed worldwide sales strategies and enablement programs to expand software sales and consulting services.

An avid sailor, Gierhart sails both competitively and recreationally. In addition to circumnavigating Alaska and sailing much of the east and west coasts of the U.S., he has participated in numerous Bermuda races and enjoys sailing Lasers, H12s, Shields, J/105s, and J/80s. He has been a proud member of the Beverly Yacht Club (Mass.) since 2002.

More Sailing Appointments

With the announcement of a new deal for the America’s Cup, sailing talent is shuffling to fill gaps as campaigns put together teams. With the announcement that Terry Hutchinson will leave Quantum Racing’s TP52 campaign to learn how to race catamarans with Artemis,  America’s Cup winner Ed Baird, who has also won the Extreme Sailing Series on Extreme 40 catamarans has been confirmed to helm next season.

Ed Reynolds, President of Quantum Sail Design Group and Managing Director for Quantum Racing (USA) says:

‘Ed is an 11-time world champion, has sailed with many of the guys on our team and is very much committed to our program, which is as much about product development as it is winning races. His accomplishments both on and off the water are impressive and his analytical approach to sailing is a real asset. We’re very excited to bring him on board and will value his expertise as we work to put a new boat, rig and sails on the water.’

Reynolds added:

‘We wish Terry all the best as he prepares for the America’s Cup. He’s done an excellent job for us and we’re grateful for his sailing leadership and contributions to our test team program. This is not unexpected, as we’ve been aware of Terry’s aspirations to one day join an AC campaign. We’ve had a great run with Terry at the helm and fully expect his participation in the America’s Cup to be just as successful.’

Baird has a great sailing CV. He was the winning helmsman of America’s Cup 32 aboard Alinghi, the 2007 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year, and was part of the 1995 America’s Cup winning team, Team New Zealand. Baird has raced in the Whitbread Round-the-World Race, is a three-time Match Racing World Champion and the only American ever to reach #1 on the ISAF World Match Racing rankings. Baird also has extensive Grand Prix and Olympic racing experience and numerous World, International and North American one-design championships to his credit.

More Audi Med Cup News….

Sailing has developed as a major event platform over the last few years with promoters keen to tap into government tourism budgets. Events like the Volvo Ocean Race can show that inbound tourism does increase as a result of yacht racing. For others, bringing several hundred competitors to fill up a town’s hotel rooms leads to economic benefit.

A few weeks ago, the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) announced that it would expand the series to 15 events annually. At the press conference in London, WMRT said that the process of selecting new venues would be done through a bidding process. Yesterday, they released more details about the process.

Cities wishing to bid to host a stage of the World Match Racing Tour are invited to take part in a process to be managed by ‘venue aquisition consultancy’, Regatta International headed up by Terry Newby.

The company’s (very new) website says: “Regatta International has extensive experience through three Americas Cup campaigns and project management of many other events, in assisting organizations with advice on host city procurement and event management. Terry Newby the Principle of Regatta International has nearly three decades of experience in the field of managing Yachting Events, Yachting Teams and Project Management at the highest level.”

Six new venues will be added to the Tour from the 2012-2013 seasons. The new venues will win the right to hold a World Championship stage, each lasting for 5 days.

WMRT CEO Jim O’Toole said via a statement:

“The World Match Racing Tour is a well proven marketing platform for destinations wishing to showcase their facilities, infrastructure and organisational capacities, increase their international tourism profile and attract inward investment.”

“We are currently undergoing an intense period of expansion and are looking forward to partnering with venues who share our ambition. We have already fielded strong levels of interest from potential venues and by opening up the bidding process we’ll be requiring bidding venues to meet certain criteria.”

“These will range from essential requirements such as proving they can ensure good winds, to logistical, marketing and financial commitments, as well as guaranteeing they can provide the level of infrastructure associated with a world class level sporting event.”

Regatta International’s Director Terry Newby said:

“The World Match Racing Tour is already one of sailing’s most respected brands with outstanding events around the world. The opportunity to work with interested parties to develop the series to 15 stages by 2013 is a hugely exciting prospect.

“Over the past 10 years WMRT has developed into a very well organised series which attracts top class sailors while drawing a huge global audience and media footprint. The benefits for venues looking to host a stage are numerous, ranging from strong economic returns to developing international awareness. We look forward to collaborating with bidding cities to maximise their chances of success.”

The WMRT has an imperitive to expand out of its current markets. While the series has blazed a trail in places like Malaysia and Korea, there are gaps in the Middle East as well as large territories like the UK and USA. While the last Volvo Ocean Race bidding process showed that there was a hungry appetite by cities around the world to attract sailing events, the World Match Racing Tour will have to sell it’s package against the Extreme Sailing Series, which is looking to become more global, and a proposed America’s Cup World series.

The trend for sailing and yacht racing rights holders and promoters to hire commerical team members from outside of the sport continues with the announcement that the Volvo Ocean Race has appointed Iñigo Aznar as Head of Commercial Partnerships.

Aznar will join the commercial team which includes; Greg Miall – Commercial Director, Mike Marques – Head of Business Development and Sharon Tuff  - Head of Commercial Partnerships UK.

Iñigo believes that there is a lot of opportunity for the sport saying:

“The potential of this race is unexploited and we can really work on creating a successful sponsorship board. Companies look for a return on investment in media, an incredible business-to-business platform and substantial world image management. My goal is to provide these new experiences to our clients and to create new platforms for our consumers.”

Since 2004, Iñigo has developed commercial activities for Real Madrid, executing and commercialising sponsorship rights products, image rights of players and advertising platforms.

Earlier this year he decided to join the Volvo Ocean Race team to work in the Commercial Department at Race Headquarters in Alicante and decided that it was time to take advantage of his potential at an international level.

“It’s one of the most prestigious and global sporting events in the world and it can be even more. This challenge is amazing, we have the opportunity to do really great things and that’s what most persuaded me from the start.”

Iñigo comes from a background of football and basketball clients, but he is convinced that he can take the Volvo Ocean Race sponsorship to a new level.

More Volvo Ocean Race News…

The Volvo Ocean Race organisers, based in Alicante have announced that Rick Deppe has joined the team as Associate Producer and Media Crew Member (MCM) Manager for the 2011-12 race.

Rick’s career as both professional sailor and filmmaker will stand him in good stead for his new role. He’s also learnt lessons the hard way, as media crew for Puma on the last race.

“I look forward to bringing everything I’ve learned in the last time around on the Volvo Ocean Race, everything I’ve learned in my career doing “Deadliest Catch” and shooting “Morning Light”, bringing all of that to bear.”

“My job in this race basically will be taking the MCM project to a whole new level. In the last race I was part of the Media Crew Member experiment, and because it was so new – it had never been done, putting an embedded journalist / cameraman / sailor on one of these boats – there was enthusiasm, and some sailors and sponsors thought it was fantastic.”

“It’s a very difficult environment to be a cameraman, when you’re being tipped over, bouncing, trying to film with the wind noise and water flying everywhere. The rules to being a cameraman normally are ‘always get a steady shot’, ‘always keep your lenses clean’, ‘get great audio’, and all the other basic rules. But they all have to go out the window, when you get on a Volvo Open 70.”

“Being on a Volvo Open 70 is a unique environment, probably like no other on earth. It can be a very frightening environment; and then there’s all the interpersonal stuff – being crammed into a little carbon fibre drum with ten other guys, some who may like cameras getting stuck in their faces while their trying to do their jobs and others that may not.”

“I think the hardest aspect is the interpersonal part, being in tight with the team; when bad things happen, being willing to go there, stick the camera in their face, and be with him the next day. Normally, Volvo Ocean Race sailors are tough guys, they don’t cry or fight with one another. And sometimes being friends makes it harder, because you don’t want to make them look not even the slightest bit bad, embarrassed or show them in a vulnerable moment or having a bad day. You really have to figure out a way to coexist.”

Before getting onboard with Puma as their MCM in 2008-09, Deppe had worked on several filming projects for Discovery Channel like “Deadliest Catch” and “Morning Light”, and he already had years of experience as an offshore sailor including several round-the-world races, sailing as a bowman on Fortuna in the 1993-94 Whitbread and on Chessie Racing in the 1997-98 race.

For PUMA, it was really important to get their message out in a way that suited their brand.

“One goal is winning the race and the other goal is commercial, so it was important for them to have someone on those boats to tell their story. The beauty of the Volvo Ocean Race is that it lasts nine months and you have nine months of amazing coverage and profiling of your brand or your company.”

Rick has already been active in his new role interviewing his old skipper and friend Ken Read in the PUMA Ocean Racing headquarters in Newport, Rhode Island. In Deppe’s in-depth interview Kenny explains his thoughts behind the next race and the future for his project – all filmed on an iphone!

More Volvo Ocean Race News…

While parts of sailing argue over how the sport should be funded, those at the commercial end are getting on with business. The World Match Racing Tour are clear about which side of the argument they on, announcing the appointment of a new Sales Director. Many organisations in sailing prefer the more vague title ‘Business Development Director’ – but it’s good to see that the WMRT are clear about what they are doing – selling a product.

The man who has the task of selling the World Match Racing Tour to potential sponsors is Matthew Strachan, and the product that he has to sell is title sponsorship of the series.

WMRT organisers say; Strachan brings over 15 years of business development experience and a background working in the sports marketing industry having represented a number of global sports properties. Prior to establishing his own sports marketing business, he held roles at IMG (UK) where he developed corporate partnerships for a number of prestigious tournaments including The Open Championship and also headed corporate sales for Wembley Stadium. Strachan joins the World Match Racing Tour on the 13 September and will be responsible for identifying and targeting potential Tour title sponsors as well as secondary partners.

Jim O’Toole, CEO of the World Match Racing Tour, said:

“We welcome Matthew to the WMRT team as we focus on developing the series in terms of the number of events, our commercial proposition and multi-media footprint around the world. Matthew has a proven record in strategic and creative business development and will play a key role in helping us to achieve our commercial objectives.”

Strachan, adds:

“I’m excited to be joining the WMRT team at such an exciting time as its new management looks to take the business forward. A relationship with the WMRT offers so much to potential commercial partners; it’s a clean sport with a positive environmental message, is contested on three continents, is watched by millions, and demands the very best from those who compete. Strong focus, strategy, teamwork, attention to detail and consistent performance are all essential elements to success in this sport and I believe are values inherent in successful businesses around the world.”

The World Match Racing Tour has some good selling points. It is the only annual sailing series that visits multiple markets on multiple continents (though the Extreme Sailing Series may soon be able to make that claim too). The tour has a growing footprint in emerging markets like S.E. Asia and features some of the sport’s most marketable stars. On the other hand, the tour does not visit the US, UK or Australasia. Changes to the America’s Cup format may also impact on the tour.

More World Match Racing Tour business news…

After announcing that the team of Ian Walker and Jamie Boag would run the Abu Dhabi Ocean Race Team for the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, the team has officially appointed US-based Farr Yacht Design, to design its Volvo Open 70 for Race. Jason Carrington (UK) has also been hired as the team’s Technical Manager.

His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) said:

“Farr Yacht Design was selected because of its ability to tailor to our specific requirements and for its strong commitment to research and design which has been ongoing since the conclusion of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. We anticipate being able to announce the appointment of the yacht builder early next month after finalising the selection of six tender qualifiers from throughout the Middle East, Europe and the Far East.”

Jason Carrington, a professional offshore sailor Will become the team’s technical manager. Over the last two decades, Jason has built five Volvo Ocean Race yachts and project-managed three campaigns.

Carrington has also competed in more than 30 top-level international regattas, but his first round the world experience was on Fortuna in the 1993-94 Whitbread (formerly the Volvo Ocean Race). After this taste of ocean racing, he continued his sailing career joining Silk Cut for the 1997-98 Whitbread, ASSA ABLOY in the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-02 and finally sailed with Ericsson Racing Team in the 2005-06 Volvo Ocean Race.

ADTA and Walker are also currently in the final stages of appointing the team’s other crewmembers, and are committed to including a UAE national on the sailing team and another two on the shore team. An open selection process will begin next month. The building of the yacht will start in late September.

More Volvo Ocean Race Business News…

Royal Southern Yacht Club appoints Press Officer

The Hamble-based Royal Southern Yacht Club has retained the services of marine industry PR specialist and experienced event press officer, Peta Stuart-Hunt.

The appointment is with immediate effect and Stuart-Hunt’s PR Works consultancy will assist the Club’s marketing team in shaping and directing its media and communications campaign, covering a varied and lively programme of news and events leading up to and throughout its 175th. anniversary celebrations in 2012.

Royal Southern Vice Commodore, Mark Inkster, confirmed the appointment and commented: “The Club is on the verge of the two biggest and most important years in its distinguished history with an ambitious and exciting programme of events that is already well advanced in its planning.

“Peta brings an added dimension to our team, and she offers us not only her immense experience in the leisure marine industry but one of the best track records for getting quality results with creative flair and sense of humour. It’s a perfect fit for what we are looking to achieve here.”

More sailing appointments News.

Germany’s National Sailing Team Joins the Extreme Sailing Series™ Kiel

Audi Sailing Team Germany has announced  its entry to the Extreme Sailing Series™ at Kiel, bringing the number of Extreme 40s on the start line to nine. Skippered by European Star Class Champion, Johannes Polgar, the entry will be crewed by sailors from a variety of multi and monohull disciplines.

The Audi Sailing Team Germany debuted in June 2010, at Kieler Woche, just down the coast from where the Extreme Sailing Series will be held. Bringing together the very best sailors from across the Olympic sailing disciplines, Paralympics and youth squads, the Team is preparing for the 2012 Olympic Games in London – a setup very much modeled on the successful formula applied by Britain’s successful Olympic team.

As part of their commitment to sailing, Audi Sailing Team Germany will enter key events on the international, professional sailing calendar. Team Manager, Oliver Schwall (GER) explained,

“It’s the opportunity for our national team to be seen by a new audience out watching the Extreme Sailing Series™. It will be interesting to see how the mixed team coming from the Star Class, 49ers and Paralympics perform against other professional teams who have tons of experience. It will be interesting to watch!”

More Extreme Sailing Series Europe News…

Des Brennan, the CEO of Yachting New Zealand has announced that he will leave the organisation at the end of September. He will take up a new role as Marketing Director for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Brennan said:

‘My time as Chief Executive has been exciting and greatly rewarding. Sport is a special enterprise and sailing for me has always been the absolute sport.’

‘I joined Yachting New Zealand early in 2005 following disappointing international results in the preceding Olympic cycle. The organisation lacked clarity of purpose and was under resourced. Today we have a great team of people at Yachting New Zealand. They will continue to take sailing forward.’

Jan Dawson, Yachting New Zealand’s President, comments;

In the six years of his leadership, Des has provided strategic direction, built strong relationships with our partner funders and sponsors and developed a high performing management team. We will miss Des and we thank him and we wish him luck in his new position.’

The process of finding a new Chief Executive for Yachting New Zealand is now underway.

More New Zealand Sailing News…

While we were down in Cowes, there were some big sailing business stories announced. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has announced ‘officially’  that two-time British Olympic medallist and past Volvo Ocean Race skipper, Ian Walker, will take the helm for the emirate’s debut in the next edition of the race. Walker’s business partner Jamie Boag will also be involved in the project which has a reported budget of $25 Million.

The Abu Dhabi project is part of a growing interest in the top level of yacht racing from the region, with Oman, Dubai and Bahrain all investing in the sport.

Walker will also be design consultant on the specially-designed Volvo Open 70 which may be designed by top US-based designer  Bruce Farr. Australian yacht builders McConaghy, who established a facility in China when building Green Dragon would do the same in Abu Dhabi.

ADTA, which was behind the emirate’s successful bid to become a 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race home port, considers Walker’s appointment to be a major coup for Abu Dhabi’s first foray into the race.

Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General, ADTA said

“Ian is the lynchpin in the dream team we are determined to secure. His high profile sends a signal of the seriousness of our ambitions in a sport which will help us build international awareness of our long maritime pedigree and exceptional coastline and surrounding waters.”

Knut Frostad, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race is very pleased to have Ian Walker back in the race.

“We believe he will be an excellent skipper and leader for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing,” he said. “The host city is an excellent venue for sailing and hopefully this project will encourage and ignite passion for sailing within the region.”

Walker believes that Abu Dhabi’s participation in the Volvo Ocean Race is a huge step forward for sailing, with the entire emirate eager to embrace the race and support its team.

“This will certainly encourage other sailing events and championships to come to this part of the world,” he said, “and is already inspiring the local population to get fully behind sailing. This is going to be a fantastic journey.”

Like many of the other tourism backed programs in the region, the project is about legacy and local development of talent. ADTA and UK-based Walker are also in the final stages of appointing the team’s other crew members, with plans to include a UAE national in the Sporting Team and another two on the Shore Team. Walker thinks it is crucial to have the right mix of youth and experience and, following his experience with the Green Dragon campaign and the inclusion of Chinese crewman Guo Chuan, he supports the idea of an internationally-represented crew.

“Obviously you need the right mix of skills such as helming, trimming, bowmen, sailmaking, rigging and engineering, yet it is just as important to select people who will work well as a team. We have a unique opportunity to do something special with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. The Volvo Ocean Race is mentally and physically exhausting. The whole project is quite daunting but it is easier to comprehend having done the race before. I have huge respect for the yachts and the race and we will be as prepared as we possibly can be.”

More Middle East Yacht Racing News…