isafconference2011

That’s A Wrap

Throughout the week the world of sailing has gathered in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the 2011 ISAF Annual Conference.

After three days of meetings, ISAF Council drew the conference to a close today as they made the final decisions that will affect the sport moving forward.

ISAF President Göran Petersson concluded the Council meeting by paying tribute to the host city San Juan and presented the host Member National Authority, Federacion de Vela de Puerto Rico with a crystal decanter as a tribute.

Next year the ISAF Annual Conference heads to Dun Laoghaire, Ireland making it a double header for the venue as it plays host to the 2012 ISAF Youth Worlds from 12-21 July.

Olympic Sailing Competition Course Update

ISAF Council have just approved the following recommendations from The Events Committee in relation about the Olympic Sailing Competition:

1) ISAF retains flexibility to move fleets during days when conditions warrant. But that any moves should be kept to a minimum.

2) The Star Class should only race on the Nothe Course for the Medal Race.

3) The Target Time should be modified as per the table below:

4) The following course diagrams should be considered:

a) a starboard rounding of the final windward mark with a reach to the finish,

b) a longer first leg and then the provision to move the leeward gate up the course.

c) a windward finish

The TDs in conjunction with the RO Com and the Events Format Working Party should confirm the final options by 1 December

Submission Update

As a consequence of ISAF Council’s decision to approve Submission 259-11. The following ISAF Q&A’s have been deleted:

2007-08 A1
2010-38 A3
2011-13 A4

ISAF Case 78 will be withdrawn temporarily and then amended to reflect Submission 259-11.

In addition, Q&A 2008-02 E4 has been deleted.

New booklet – http://www.sailing.org/raceofficials/2011-q&a.php

ISAF Council Underway

ISAF Council have reconvened this morning. Once again we will bring you updates from the meeting on the @ISAFupdates twitter. Follow the link here www.twitter.com/ISAFupdates or follow the stream on the right hand side of the page.

November 2011 Submissions

ISAF Council went through a number of the November 2011 Submissions today and here is a run down of some of the approvals. (Click on the Submission name to view its entirety)

Submission 001-11 (ISAF Council agreed to an amended version) – The Development and Youth Committee will be responsible for appointing a team of ‘Nominated Experts’ to run International Training Courses for Coaches.

Submission 009-11 – ISAF have better means to accommodate specific commercial and sponsors needs for special events and on a case by case basis.

Submission 012-11 – Introduction of a new category of boat length relevant to Event Advertising spaces.

Submission 037-11 – Kiteboarding will be added to the list of existing disciplines in the ISAF Learn to Sailing Training Programme Document

Submission 039-11 – ISAF will recognise National Kiteboard Training programmes through the ISAF Recognised Training accreditation inspections.

Submissions 043-11, 044-11 and 045-11 – Deferred by ISAF Council on the basis that ISAF are to organise a training symposium in early 2012 and consult MNAs with existing yacht training programmes in order to gather together criteria for use in accreditation inspections for ISAF recognised training status of MNA yacht training programmes. These details should then be submitted for final ratification at the mid-year meeting in 2012.

To close out the day ISAF President Göran Petersson ruled that Submission 052-11 was not in order with regulations and could therefore not be voted on.

ISAF Council will resume tomorrow at 09:30 local time.

November 2011 Submissions

We are tweeting live from ISAF Council to bring you the news as it happens. Follow what’s going on at ISAF Updates Twitter – www.twitter.com/ISAFupdates. Or follow the widget on the right.

259 Days To Go

With 259 days to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games, Rob Andrews, London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition Manager, addressed the ISAF Council to give them a flavour of what is to come in Weymouth and Portland next year.

Andrews spoke about the scale of the games which will bring 10,500 athletes and 20,000 media and broadcasters together. Add in 70,000 volunteers and 10 million tickets and it puts into perspective the scale of work the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games have on their hands.

The Olympic Test Event, the Weymouth and Portland International Regatta, saw 436 athletes in 309 boats compete. The regatta tested the Field of Play, Equipment, Omega tracking and the results system. Andrews stated that the core systems are robust and the sailors are confident.

For the first time in its long Olympic history, sailing will be ticketed. And of the 60,000 tickets that went on sale, they have all sold out with the ticketed viewing area on the Nothe Fort and Gardens. Moving forward Andrews and his team will be working closely with ISAF on the sports presentation, spectator experience, branding – to suit TV and spectators, on board camera development and tracking producing instant results.

In 2008 Andrews was welcomed by the Chinese Olympic Sailing organisers. Andrews will be doing the same for the Rio 2016 Olympic organisers next year to further the sports development and continue the growth of Olympic sailing.