One of the world's top international sailing umpires, Peter Shrubb, has been elected as Commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

But Bermudian Shrubb said that while he is looking forward to leading the club from 2010-12, he will still be travelling the globe to officiate in some of the world's biggest regattas.

In fact Shrubb, who was one of only five umpires in the world chosen to officiate in the finals at the last America's Cup off the coast of Valencia, Spain, in 2007, recently returned from France and South Korea where he was umpiring.

"I just got back this week from Nice, France from umpiring the Louis Vuitton Trophy," he said. That was won by Azzurra skipper Francesco Bruni whose team defeated Team New Zealand 2-0 in the Grand Final to win the historic match race regatta.

"That was a two-week event – it was very good although the air was a bit light.

"Before that I was in (Busan) South Korea for a women's grade one event and then I attended the International Sailing Federation's annual conference."

Shrubb said that before accepting his RBYC position he made it clear that his umpiring would force him to be off the island a bit.

"It was one of the things I discussed with the club when they asked me – I was keen to continue with my work with the International Sailing Federation and umpiring the high level events and they were happy with that," he said.

While Shrubb has officiated in some of the world's top events, it was two years ago that he reached his pinnacle when he was chosen to umpire in the America's Cup final which turned out to be one of the best ever.

The Cup, which is the most famous and most prestigious regatta in the sport of sailing, was won by Alinghi in the seventh race.

However since that time the America's Cup has been contested in the courtrooms – not on the water.

In fact this week Alinghi's backers in Switzerland told a New York court that it has the right to face American challenger BMW Oracle Racing in the Persian Gulf port of Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

The Swiss asked the New York Supreme Court's Appellate Division to overturn a lower-court ruling that RAK is ineligible to host the best-of-three showdown beginning February 8 because the 19th century Deed of Gift prohibits racing in the Northern Hemisphere between November 1 and May 1.

Shrubb said: "What is going on now is ridiculous – everyone is waiting for this whole thing to be over so we can get back to racing the America's Cup. It is terrible for the sport with the whole thing tied up in court. This is not what the sailing public want.

"The great work that was done in 2007 with the 32nd America's Cup is being lost now. In 2007 it was a great event – 12 countries competing – it was terrific.

"And what an amazing final! We need to get back and recover all that good work that was done there."

On the home front, the RBYC's new Commodore said he wants to keep the focus on youth sailing. "We have done so much good work with the youth especially with the Optis – we have some really good young sailors coming along.

" But there is a gap between the young guys and the older guys.

"There are still some good sailors in the 25-30-year-old bracket but I would like to see more.

"We need to focus on the young kids and make sure they are pushed in the right direction. It is all a challenge.

"We have to make sure there is an avenue for them and make sure there are events all around the world (for them to go to)."

Shrubb also wants to keep his own hand in sailing.

"I did the Marion to Bermuda race on Big Bear. I also sail the J105s.

"I like to think I am an active sailor – it is important to me and I will do as much as I can.

"But time is difficult what with the RBYC club work and the umpiring. I am trying to do as much as I can but there are a lot of balls in the air."

Shrubb has also long urged Government to make sailing a national sport.

He has said in the past: "It is about time that sailing received some serious funding like cricket and football.

"Just look at the performance our sailors have produced over the years. We have had World Champions and Olympians. It takes a lot of time and money to compete against the best and that is why we need serious funding.

"We have a new generation coming along and we need some serious funding. We are producing some very good and world class sailors but you need the funding to get better."

Shrubb has been a 30-year member of the RBYC. Serving as flag officers with Shrubb will be Jonathan Brewin who will rise from Rear commodore to Vice Commodore and new Rear Commodores Somers W. Kempe and Scott King. Continuing in their offices are Andrew Burnett-Herkes, Honorary Secretary and Paul B. Hubbard, RBYC Treasurer.

Present Commodore Ralph Richardson said the club was "proud to have a man of Peter Shrubb's stature, as a sailor, an international race official and a businessman, to serve as our next Commodore.

"Peter will have an exciting time as Commodore during the 47th Newport to Bermuda Race and during our other signature events, the Bacardi International Invitational Race Week and the Argo Group Gold Cup and in managing the improvements to the Club and our sailing programme during his tenure. I wish him all of the best during his term of service."

Shrubb in turn said of Richardson: "I would like to commend the hard work and efforts of our outgoing Commodore, Ralph Richardson, who has set a high standard for me to follow after a very successful term in office."