Sailing industry news predominant this week - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 27 Feb 11:00 NZDT
AST and YPO Sydney Launch High Performance Mentor Progam © Australian Sailing Team
The Australian Sailing Team (AST) in partnership with Young Presidents' Organisation (YPO) Sydney, has launched a High-Performance Athlete Mentor Program, a 12-month pilot initiative designed to connect elite sailors with some of Australia's most accomplished business leaders.
The program brings together eight high-performance AST athletes and experienced YPO Sydney members in a structured mentoring framework. Athletes are required to make high-stakes decisions under pressure, manage uncertainty, build high-performing teams and navigate complex environments, competencies that closely mirror the demands of executive leadership.
More sailing news! Palm Beach XI successfully validated her radical new C-foil configuration, reaching 29 knots of boat speed in a beautiful 22-knot nor'easter on the iconic Sydney Harbour. The 100-foot Supermaxi lifted cleanly off the water with two metres of bow rise while dramatically reducing her wetted surface area, a defining moment in the realization of the team's bold and exciting vision becoming a reality: controlled, stable, and fast.
Nautor Swan has been named Official Event Partner of the 2026 and 2028 editions of the Rolex China Sea Race, reinforcing its long-term commitment to growing performance sailing in Asia. Organised biennially by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, the race stands as one of the region's most demanding offshore challenges. This partnership marks a strategic expansion of Swan's presence in Asia, under the custodianship of Sanlorenzo.
The Marina Industries Association (MIA) has released the full program for Marinas26, its flagship biennial conference and trade exhibition, to be held 24-27 May at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on Queensland's Gold Coast. Shaped by the forward-looking Future Smart theme, the Marinas26 program brings together an exceptional line-up of global industry professionals, innovators and thought leaders to explore the trends, technologies and opportunities shaping the future of the marina and boatyard sector.
Cantiere Mimì consolidates its international expansion and strengthens its presence in the Australian market through the partnership with Boatology. This drive for growth will continue with the brand's participation in the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May, where it will have four boats on display, after recently taking part for the first time in the Sydney Boat Show.
Group Beneteau have announced the appointment of Europa Yachts as Beneteau's new exclusive dealer for Indonesia, a strategic move to expand Beneteau's presence in Asia Pacific with an emphasis to introduce more of our latest innovations into the highly-potential Indonesian yachting market. This new partnership is building upon mutual trust and a successful collaboration with Europa Yachts in the Philippines.
Australian luxury, long-range motor yacht specialist, Maritimo will return to the 2026 Auckland Boat Show, represented by authorised sales partner, Motor Yacht Service Centre. For the first time in many years, Maritimo will have two models on display: the flagship M75 Flybridge Motor Yacht and the magnificent M55 Flybridge Motor Yacht. Headed up by Dean and Glynis Ryder, their daughter, Sophie and son-in-law Shanon Robertson, Motor Yacht Service Centre, based at Hobsonville Marina, Auckland has operated as a service centre for Maritimo for 20 years.
More marine industry news at www.marinebusinessworld.com/Oceania updated daily.
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media