THE FOILING ORGANIZATION BOARD

PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER

A global pioneer in sailing with a background in business strategy and commercial development, he has built a career spanning from launching new real estate ventures in Australia to driving the business growth of Persico Marine, a cutting-edge shipyard based in Nembro (BG).

For seven years he led the International Moth Class as President, transforming it into the most successful foiling class in the world. Today he is Class Manager of the AC40 Class, used in the America’s Cup, with the ambitious mission of creating the first racing circuit dedicated to the fastest one-design on the planet.

In 2012 he founded Foiling Week, the largest multi-class foiling event, officially recognised by World Sailing in 2021 as a Special Event – a status reserved for elite competitions such as the America’s Cup, SailGP and The Ocean Race.

With We Are Foiling, he has created an international ecosystem dedicated to foiling as the new frontier of sustainable waterborne mobility. Within this framework, benchmark initiatives have taken shape such as the Foiling Awards (since 2016, annual prizes for the best athletes, events, products and projects chosen by the global community), the Foiling Film Festival (celebrating the best cinematic productions on foiling) and The Foiling Organization: the professional worldwide association which since 2022 has brought together builders, designers, universities, clubs, classes, teams and events.

Under his leadership, the Organization has delivered two editions of the World Foiling Congress in Genoa and the first Foiling Sport Congress on Lake Garda, as well as sector-enhancement projects at leading international boat shows, including METSTRADE Amsterdam, boot Düsseldorf and the Salone Nautico di Genova, where – in partnership with I Saloni Nautici and Confindustria Nautica – he spearheaded the creation of large area fully dedicated to foiling and its cutting-edge innovations.

The common thread running through all We Are Foiling projects is a constant commitment to sustainability, inclusion and safety.

VICE PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER

Professor Andrew Pindar OBE DL became involved in yachting forty years ago by sponsoring the North Sea Race from (his home town) Scarborough to Holland, the start of a relationship with boats, people and water which has evolved to make the Pindar name synonymous with some of the most notable global sailing campaigns of the recent decades.
Andrew is known for his outstanding support of numerous sailors: Emma Sanderson, Hilary Lister, Hannah Mills, Jo Royle, Mike Sanderson, Brian Thompson, Ian Williams and the whole US Sailing Team … just to name a few of them.
The Pindar name has been seen in partnership with global shipping and logistics company GAC trading as GAC Pindar, delivering the logistics for the Star Sailors League, The Ocean Race and some teams in the 2024 Americas Cup.
Pindar Sailing Partners have worked with P&O Marinas to promote Watersports from Mina Rashid and throughout Dubai, bringing SailGP to the Middle East for the first time.
Andrew is currently a director of The Magenta Project – a charity focused on increasing female participation in sailing – a patron of the Sail4Cancer charity and a longtime supporter of the UKSA charity.
A Member of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, he is an honorary member of the Westbere Sailing Club and a former Rear Commodore of Scarborough Yacht Club. In 1999 he was recognized with an honorary Professorship from The University of The Arts in London. In 2004 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire and in 2009 he was bestowed with the honour of Officer of The Order of the British Empire. World Sailing presented him with the Presidents Award for development of the sport around the world in 2020.

Born in 1953 in Genova, Luca started his very long sail racing experience on Dinghies taking part to Italians, Europeans and World Championships. He then was engaged on Level classes, IRC, Ocean Sailing. An experienced pilot of gliders with ENAC License, in 2011 he founded EQOfluids SL, a company producing advanced components for compressed air-ducts with a worldwide area of business. In 2023 he was Member of the Steering Committee for the organization of the finish leg of The Ocean Race.

Scott has dedicated his career to the development and performance of international sports (ITF and World Sailing), major events, commercial partnerships, and sustainability initiatives. He has contributed to four Olympic Games and successfully managed global sponsorships in over 40 countries, delivering for brands including Rolex, SAP, BNP Paribas, Cisco, Aberdeen Asset Management, Hugo Boss, and Jaguar Land Rover. Known for his ability to diversify revenue and lead teams through strategic projects and purpose-driven partnerships, Scott held the role of Commercial Director at World Sailing from 2019 to 2023, growing and overseeing key relationships with partners and stakeholders, including Special Events and sponsorships. In addition, he served as a Trustee and Charity Director of the World Sailing Trust.

Born and bred in the Netherlands Rudy Jurg grew up sailing on Dutch lakes and the North Sea. In 1993, he moved to the UK to pursue a degree at Solent University, Southampton. Living in the sailing mecca of Cowes his yacht racing career took off and he was out almost year-round racing in a variety of boats and classes at National, European and World Championships. In his professional career Rudy worked for Gurit for over 18 years, being closely involved in the supply of composite materials for the Americas Cup, Volvo Ocean Race and many other boat racing classes. In the past 3 years he worked for a world renown superyacht mast and deck equipment supplier and through his work sailed on a number of large superyachts.