The standard of presentations was extremely high, with papers from a cross section of interests ranging from Randy Repass, West Marine; Scott West, Sail America and Rod Carr from the RYA, to a team of young suits from McKinsey & Co.

The mission of the ISS is: "To stimulate, influence, and lead the global sailing industry in co-operating with national and international sailing and industry groups to increase participation in sailing".

It has proved not to be just a talking shop as there have been solid outcomes, including the formation of a working party with the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), the establishment of sailing industry representative bodies and the raising of financial support for a number of sailing causes.

Murray said: "The ISS committee and participants are seriously concerned about the decline in sailing. We have a problem and yet we have a great opportunity to promote sailing if we get our strategy right."

Everyone who has an interest or is concerned should get involved, he added.

The 6th International Sailing Summit will be held in Annapolis on October 25 and 26, 2004, just prior to the Annapolis Sailboat Show.

A full roundup of the Geelong Summit is on the ISS website www.sailingsummit.com