Carlo Croce Reaffirms Vision of Growth for World Sailing Ahead of Presidential Vote

With just two days to go until Member National Authorities [MNAs] vote to decide the next President of World Sailing, current President Carlo Croce has reaffirmed his vision to grow the sport worldwide, deliver the return of Para Sailing to the Paralympic Games and establish World Sailing as a global leader in sporting governance and sustainability.

Following the success of Sailing at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which saw a record number of nations compete and medal, Carlo Croce has also confirmed that World Sailing is in discussions with the International Olympic Committee [IOC] to create an 11th Sailing medal event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, as well as a ‘show-case’ Sailing event for additional sailors.

Carlo Croce today outlined a range of priorities to grow Sailing across the world in his Manifesto ‘A New Era for World Sailing’ that include:

· Increase the number of World Sailing Approved Training Centres with at least one in every continent

· Ensure a World Sailing Continental regatta is held in Africa by 2020 to help develop the sport in Africa

· Continue significant investment in the World Sailing Emerging Nations Programme and Paralympic Development Programme, and widen support to include race officials

· Review all aspects of sports presentation to ensure Sailing products are exciting and easily understandable

· Ensure future Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games Host Cities are left with a Sailing legacy for the onwards development of the sport

· Invest more resources in digital and social media to help drive fan engagement and develop new audiences for the sport.

Carlo Croce said today:

"I would again like to express my thanks to the 45 MNAs that nominated me, and the many more that have since made clear they will be voting for me in Sunday’s election. My aim is to win support from all the Sailing family and to work for improved co-operation and partnership in the best interest of our great sport. It is this belief in unity, accompanied by a very clear vision of growth for World Sailing, that is at stake this weekend.

"I'm asking for the support of Sailing colleagues on Sunday‎ because I believe I am the right choice for the next four years to help our great sport grow and prosper. It has been an honour to serve and I very much hope to continue building on the great things we have all achieved by working together."

For more information, please contact:

John Zerafa [VERO]

Tel:+44 [0] 7813 814 816

Email:jzerafa@verocom.co.uk

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