New leadership at the Super Yacht Racing Association

The Super Yacht Racing Association (SYRA) has announced Shirley Robertson as the new manager of the association.

Robertson 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 organisation that is essential to superyacht racing,” says 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.”

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 America’s Cup. She also hosts the long-running monthly podcast Shirley Robertson’s Sailing Podcast.

Most recently on the water, Robertson has been managing a two-boat 6m campaign. She 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-affected 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 about my new role with the SYRA,” says Robertson. “Yacht racing is a lifelong 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. 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 immediately.

SYRA is a non-profit organisation established in 2011. Membership is open to any superyacht owner (or owner’s representative) who participates in superyacht regattas, superyacht event organisers, and superyacht industry-related companies. The association’s self-stated mission is to enhance the enjoyment of superyacht owners by pursuing all possible measures to ensure safe and fair racing along with meaningful competition.