The Barcelona World Race has signed on as a sponsor of the World Yacht Racing Forum, taking place in Monaco on December 9th - 10th. The World Race joins Monaco-based Horus Watches as official sponsor and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority as presenting sponsor.

Meanwhile, the inaugural Yacht Racing Design and Technology Symposium, to be held in conjunction with the Forum, has announced marine paint product company Awlgrip and hydraulic equipment supplier, Holmatro, as silver sponsors.

“The World Yacht Racing Forum in Monaco promises to draw together the very best from the world of professional yacht racing, and as one of the leading events in the ocean racing calendar, the Barcelona World Race is rightly present, said Barcelona World Race director general Andor Serra. “At just over one year from the start of the race, this gathering of the top people in the sport is a great communications and networking platform for the Barcelona World Race.”

World Match Racing Tour, the world’s leading professional sailing series, will sponsor a luncheon at the Forum and will unveil its new structure and programme at the Forum.

The World Yacht Racing Forum and Design & Technology Symposium will focus on the socio-economic aspects of the sport as well as developments in media coverage and the technical and commercial aspects of large-scale sailing events, especially in terms of their organisation and promotion. Subjects including new media, cost-cutting measures, the America’s Cup, race management, composite technology and event management will be presented and debated by the key people in yachting plus industry experts from other sports including Formula 1 motorsports.