Sail-In event

09:00 – 09:30 | Walk-in & reception

Waterfront coffee, tea and croissants

09:30 – 09:45 | Welcome.

By DutchSail & Data Science Lab

09:45 – 10:10 | SAIL Talk #1
Data at the helm: The use of data analytics in the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup

How do you teach one of the most complex boats to sail, in a simulator, based on data? How do you measure performance on a sailboat where every second counts? In this session, Paul Hameeteman, sailor on DutchSail’s Youth America’s Cup team, will take you into the world of data-driven top sport. Using concrete examples from the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup, we will show how data analytics is used to optimize boat speed, validate feel, improve decisions and where the biggest opportunities lie for the future of sailing when it comes to innovation and data-driven performance improvement.

About the speaker:
Paul Hameeteman is one of the Dutch sailing talents competing for DutchSail in the Youth America’s Cup. He is an analytically strong helmsman, used to performing at the highest level. He is helmsman of the AC40 DutchSail and core team member TeamNL.

10:15 – 10:40 | SAIL Talk #2
The invisible coach: data as a driving force toward LA 2028

Ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, there is a clear ambition: to win more medals. Data can play a key role in this. By working smarter and more focused, and learning from what is already happening in other sports, we can make a difference. In this talk, I will show you some concrete examples of how data is already being used and what we will do in the coming years to take steps together towards LA.

About the speaker:
Annemiek Bekkering is an Olympic sailor and multiple world champion. Currently active at the intersection of sport, science and innovation at the Sailing Innovation Centre.

10:45 – 11:10 | Break & exhibition visit

Visit interactive showcases such as:

• The DutchSail simulator
• SeaDis, the first robotic sailing buoy

11:15 – 11:40 | SAIL Talk #3

Title & speaker to be announced soon

11:45 – 12:10 | SAIL Talk #4
Discovering the new Max Verstappen through data and smart algorithms

For Van Amersfoort Racing, Data Science Lab developed a tool to discover talent in motorsports early. Claudia talks about how data scouting is changing and whether you can tell by the numbers who the new Max is.

About the speaker:
Claudia Sulsters is Managing Consultant Data Engineering at Data Science Lab. Claudia has a great passion for motorsports. During her master’s internship at Van Amersfoort Racing, she developed an algorithm to identify talented Formula 3 drivers. The striking result was Oscar Piastri. Since 2021, from Data Science Lab, she is once again working with the team to discover the new Max.

12:10 – 12:30 | Closing talks + visit exhibitions

12:30 – 14:00 | Lunch overlooking the SAIL-in

Lunch will be served. A great time to informally chat and network. In addition, plenty of time to visit the exhibits.

From here you can walk to the waterfront to admire the impressive entry of tallships and sailing heritage from up close.