New leadership for the Super Yacht Racing Association

Shirley Robertson © Super Yacht Racing Association

Shirley Robertson ACC © RYA

The Super Yacht Racing Association (SYRA) is very pleased to announce Shirley Robertson as the new Manager of the association. With a wealth of experience and success in the sport and a notable presence in superyacht racing, Robertson brings a valuable perspective and new energy to the SYRA.

Shirley Robertson OBE made history by becoming the first British woman to win Olympic Gold Medals at consecutive Olympic Games and has become one of the most recognisable faces in the sport of sailing.

"We are delighted to have Shirley assume the role of Manager of the SYRA, taking the lead of an organization that is essential to superyacht racing," said SYRA Chairperson Kate Branagh. "The last decade saw many crucial areas addressed to enhance safe sailing and fair racing in this unique segment of sailboat racing. The SYRA's priorities have shifted in recent years to fleet building, achieving more broad-based participation and expanding membership in the association, areas that Shirley will excel in."

With a reputation for a strong work ethic and attention to detail, away from the Olympic race track Robertson's sailing career soon led to a parallel career as one of sailing's leading broadcasters.

For fifteen years Robertson was the face of sailing as the host of CNN International's flagship sports series "CNN Mainsail", she has been the BBC's lead anchor from four Olympic Games sailing venues, and has presented coverage from multiple regattas at the very pinnacle of yacht racing, the America's Cup. In addition, Robertson also hosts the long running Shirley Robertson's Sailing Podcast, a monthly podcast featuring interviews with the biggest names in the sport of sailing.

Most recently on the water, Robertson has been managing a prestigious two boat 6m campaign, but also spent two seasons competing on the flourishing double handed offshore circuit, a growing series that included a second place in a tightly contested Rolex Fastnet Race and one of the longest weather effected Round Britain and Ireland races ever held. Her sailing career has also seen over fifteen years of racing on the superyacht circuit, taking in some of the sport's most prestigious regattas.

"I am particularly excited in my new role with the SYRA. Yacht racing is a life long passion of mine, and the superyacht series has been one of our sport's shining lights for some time. My relationship with racing superyachts goes back to my time racing with the SYRA founders Ed Dubois and Barry Houghton," said Robertson, "and it's wonderful to now be carrying on their original vision. Expanding on the excellent work already done by the team at the SYRA while helping grow our membership at this exciting time in our sport is something I am really looking forward to."

Robertson will take up this part-time role with immediate effect, bringing a passion for sailing and a broad skill set that will undoubtedly strengthen the mission at the SYRA to advance and grow superyacht racing. Representing the collective voice for racing superyachts, regatta organizers and the industry, she will draw on her talents as a communicator as well as her experiences in team building and hosting conferences and exhibitions.

About the Super Yacht Racing Association: The SYRA is a non-profit organisation established in May, 2011. Membership is open to any superyacht owner (or owner's representative) who participate in superyacht regattas, superyacht event organisers, and superyacht industry related companies. The mission of the SuperYacht Racing Association is to enhance the enjoyment of superyacht owners by pursuing all possible measures to ensure safe and fair racing along with meaningful competition.

For more information abouth the Super Yacht Racing Association visit superyra.org. For further information on Shirley Robertson, visit her website shirleyrobertson.com.