Dún Laoghaire took centre stage as World Sailing closed its Annual Conference with a landmark election.

Member National Authorities elected Sophia Papamichadopoulos OLY (CYP) and Corinne Migraine (FRA) as Vice Presidents.

The result delivered a gender-balanced Board under the federation’s new constitution.

The General Assembly capped a week of meetings on Dublin Bay. The programme included Council, Committees, Commissions and the World Sailing Awards.

Irish support was prominent. Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council, Fáilte Ireland and Irish Sailing backed the event.

Local clubs played a leading role. The Royal St George, Royal Irish and National Yacht Clubs welcomed delegates throughout the week.

World Sailing President Quanhai Li said: “My congratulations went to Sophia and Corinne… their election reflected the strength of the new World Sailing Constitution which guarantees that our Vice Presidents are gender balanced.”

Li added: “We saw the true warmth of Irish hospitality in one of the world’s great sailing communities.”

World Sailing CEO David Graham said it “was a successful week for sailing,” noting that stakeholders “met, debated and agreed actions to address the big opportunities and challenges our sport faces.”

The federation advanced preparations for the LA28 Olympic Games and its bid for inclusion at the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.

It also laid foundations for the 2027 World Sailing Championships in Fortaleza and Gdynia.

At the World Sailing Awards in the Royal St George Yacht Club, Charlie Dalin and Justine Mettraux were named Rolex World Sailors of the Year.

Mettraux was racing the Café l’Or Transat and did not attend. Dalin accepted in Dún Laoghaire.

Graham said both winners were “role models any sport would be grateful to have represent them.”