isafconference2011

In-House Certification Continues To Spread

Dick Batt, Equipment Committee Chairman, opened the proceedings at ISAF Council this morning with an update on ISAF In-House Certification.

Since its formation over 17,000 stickers have been issued with 15 manufacturers signed up for the scheme and 20 classes involved.

For more on IHC head to the ISAF website here – http://www.sailing.org/ihc/index.php

Keep Up To Speed Here

ISAF Council members and viewers are about to meet for their second day of meetings in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Follow ISAF on Twitter at @ISAFupdates for immediate updates with more to follow on the blog throughout the day.

James ‘Ding’ Schoonmaker Awarded ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy

James ‘Ding’ Schoonmaker (USA) today received the 2011 ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy – which honours an individual for their outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing.

ISAF President Göran Petersson presented the trophy, which was first awarded in 1988 in memory of Beppe Croce, the ISAF President from 1969-1986, to Schoomaker at the 2011 ISAF Annual Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Petersson said, “Ding’s contribution and generosity to the sport is exceptional and equally matched by his active participation and success. Not content with excelling on the water, Ding has invested just as much time and passion in serving the sport on shore.

“Since 1968, Ding has been an active member of the International Yacht Racing Union and now of course ISAF. During his long and distinguished career with us, Ding has brought his wealth of experience and knowledge to so many aspects of the sport.”

On receiving the award Schoonmaker said, “It has been a great pleasure to have the opportunity to participate as a competitor as well as an official in Olympic events. It is a great privilege to be honoured for serving the sport that I love.”

More information will be available on the ISAF website shortly.

Keeping Up To Speed

Stan Honey, World Sailing Speed Record Council Member, put the progression of speed sailing in perspective today as he compared the 500 Metre Unlimited Speed Record set by Rob Douglas on 28 October 2010 to the one first set by Tim Colman on Crossbow in 1972.

Douglas hit 55.65 knots in Luderitz, Namibia and Colman reached 26.30 knots in Portland, Great Britain. And after the record was broken three times in 2010 there are many threats to the speed record on the horizon.

The Women’s record was also broken in 2010 after Kite-boarder Charlotte Consorti (FRA) became the first woman to go over 50 knots.

How You Like Me Now? America’s Cup At ISAF Council

Andy Hindley, the AC Regatta Director and Head of America’s Cup Race Management was on hand at the 2011 ISAF Annual Conference to present an update on the America’s Cup to ISAF Council.

The presentation touched many bases including umpiring, race management, racing rules and television and the progress they have made in the first 18 months of America’s Cup Management.

A crew of 116 people worked at the last America’s World Cup Series regatta in Plymouth, Great Britain with a dedicated broadcast centre, on board images, TV boats and three helicopters which keeps the world’s audience up to date

Stan Honey, Director of Technology for the 34th America’s Cup, spoke about Liveline, which provide the graphic features on the video. Originally designed for television, LiveLine now helps race management in making key decisions off the water.

Hindley opened his presentation with the video below. Take a few minutes to enjoy some of the action…

Antony Matusch Awarded ISAF Silver Medal

ISAF President Göran Petersson awarded the ISAF Silver Medal to Antony Matusch at the ISAF Council in recognition of the significant contribution he has made to ISAF as Chairman of the ISAF Sailor Classification Commission.  Petersson said, “Sailor Classification was your concept, sold to the then President Paul Henderson as something that would just run itself!  I know this hasn’t quite worked out like this but as with any good idea Sailor Classification has developed and grown.  I hope you feel proud to hand over the reins to the new Chairman.”

ISAF Presidents Report – 10 November 2011

ISAF President Göran Petersson delivered the President’s Report a moment ago to the ISAF Council members during their first day of meetings at the 2011 ISAF Annual Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Here’s a snippet from the report,

“Your Majesty, Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Council.

It seems as though it was not so long since I closed the Council meeting in St Petersburg, but so much has happened during this time in the world of sailing.

In June I was in Kiel and experienced first hand how well the concept of the ISAF World Cup is progressing, but it made me realise that we still need to work on this concept.  It is clear that the management of the calendar of events should be an important priority of ISAF.  Due to the Test Event and the Olympic Games next year, the level of entries in the different ISAF World Cup Events varied greatly and this is clearly an issue for the Events Committee to look at.

The IOC session in July was held in Durban, South Africa.  There are a few themes I would like to report on:

The fight against illegal betting and illegal behaviour by athletes and the “athlete’s entourage”:

You now come across these words frequently – Jacques Rogge uses them all the time.  It refers to everyone involved with the athletes; from the family to the doctors, to the Coaches, mechanics and so on.

“Olympic solidarity is growing”:

The IOC revenues are growing through the TV rights and the Commercial Partners Programme. A great deal is spent on the development side of the sport.  ISAF, or more importantly ISAF Members, are benefitting from this.

Athletes Career Programme:

The IOC are very keen for International Federations to look after their athletes even if their career in the sport has finished.  Sailing has some good opportunities here – boat building, sales, maintenance and in the super yacht industries.

Good Governance:

The IOC is going to monitor compliance with the IOC Ethics Code throughout the entire Olympic family including International Federations and National Olympic Committees.  In the review of the Sports Programme a list of topics are being addressed and Good Governance will definitely be on the list.  We must be able to get a tick in the box on this subject and you will be asked to take some steps in this direction during this meeting.

The full speech will be available on the ISAF website shortly.