isafconference2011

International Race Official Appointments

The names of all the ISAF International Race Officials who renewed their status and new ones appointed can be found on the ISAF website here http://www.sailing.org/raceofficials/first-appointments-renewals.php

All Things Events

The Events Committee had a packed agenda today at the ISAF Annual Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Rob Andrews, London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition Manager, was on hand to tell the Committee about the progress and developments made ahead of the Olympic Games next year. Spectators will be in for a treat in Weymouth, Great Britain next year with the Nothe Fort and Gardens hosting spectators for the first time in sailings long history in the Olympic Games.

But for the sailors to get to Weymouth they have to qualify at the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, and with 23 days until the start of the regatta it is all systems go.

The ISAF Sailing World Cup was also on the agenda with World Cup organisers set to look at the format of the Women’s Match Racing Competition throughout the remainder of the 2011-2012 series. And after the announcement of Palma, Spain and Hyéres, France as the 2013-2016 ISAF Sailing World Cup host venues more are set to be announced in due course.

Dick Batt, Equipment Committee Chairman, was welcomed to the meeting and spoke about the Two Person Women’s Skiff and Two Person Mixed Gender Multihull trials. The trials are expected to take place in April next year.

Dan Ibsen, Sail Rankings Sub-committee Chairman, spoke about Submission 110-11 and the implementation of a single ISAF Sailing World Rankings for sailors competing in Olympic class events, based on a 12 month period, and incorporating these into the Sailing World Cup regattas. The new rankings system will be tested and refined over the coming year.

A Word Of Thanks

Photo Credit: Trevor Davis, aged 9.

Here is Antony Matusch, outgoing chairman of the ISAF Classification Commission at the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) dinner in Puerto Rico.

Antony has been helping ORC with establishing a Corinthian trophy at ORC Events, including their World Championships, using the ISAF Sailor Classification code. We welcome Tom Rinda as the new ISAF Classification Commission chairman after this November Annual Conference. Many thanks to Antony for his devoted hard work on the Commission and with many ISAF Classes around the world.

Austria Applies For Recognition Accreditation At ISAF Annual Conference

ISAF is very happy to announce that the Austrian ISAF Member National Authority, the Austrian Sailing Federation has officially applied for the accreditation of its National Sail Training Programme with plans to host an inspection visit in December of this year.

Helmut Jakobowitz, Vice President of the Austrian Sailing Federation and currently in Puerto Rico for the ISAF Annual Conference said, “The Austrian Sailing Federation is looking forward to having recognition of our National Sail Training Programme from sailings International sports Federation.”

If you think that your National Training Programme would benefit from the ISAF Recognized Training accreditation or for all previous inspection reports then go to the ISAF website here – http://www.sailing.org/training/32452.php

Outside Assistance?

During lunch breaks ISAF Secretariat staff have been frivolously checking the progression of their boats in the Virtual Volvo Ocean Race online Game.

Simon Forbes, ISAF Technical and Offshore Manager, had world famous navigators Stan Honey, around the world speed record holder, and Pierre Fehlmann, winner of a Whitbread Around the World race, help with the navigation.

Isn’t that outside assistance?

Events Committee Flat Out

The Events Committee have a packed agenda today in Puerto Rico. Discussions on the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition, Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, ISAF Sailing World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition are all on the agenda.

Will bring you an update later on today.

Images From The Big Night

Here are a selection of images from the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards.