ISAF Vice-President

David IRISH

Date of Birth: 2 January 1937
Nationality: USA
First Language: English

Personal Profile

Sailing Career

• Dinghies and keelboats in youth, various, at present 32' open keelboat and Laser
• Mumm 30 since 1996, 12 years of OD and offshore handicap racing, including racing in 3 Worlds Championships
• Offshore racing in bigger boats including National Team in Admirals Cup, Sardinia Cup, Kenwood Cup, also Trans Atlantic and other long races.
• Raced Waler sailboard in the 1980's including winning age group national championship.
  

Sailing Administration

• Offshore Racing Council: 16 years as Council member, finishing as Deputy Chairman
• US Sailing: 3 years as President, with many other roles prior to and after presidency
• Local and regional sailing organizations, various roles, including Yacht Club Commodore
• 1996 - 2001 - Mumm 30 class President
  

Roles Within ISAF

• 2004 - 2008 - ISAF Vice-President
• 2000 - 2004 - ISAF Council Member
• 2000 - 2004 - Member of Keelboat Committee
• 2000 - 2004 - Member of Offshore One Design Sub-committee
• 1998 - 2000 - Chairman of Offshore One Design Classes Committee
• Attended as ISAF Vice-President:
  International 470 Worlds
  Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship 2008
  2000 Olympics

Current ISAF Vice-President Responsibilities:

Areas: North America and Caribbean

• Events Committee
• International Regulations Commission
• Offshore Commmittee and Offshore Sub-Committees
• Racing Rules Committee
• International Association of Disabled Sailing (IFDS)
• Technical Department
• Professional Sailing Development
  

Other significant experiences

Livelihood is derived from ownership and operation of two Boatyard/Marinas, which are specialized in serving sailboats in the Northern part of Michigan.

Goals

• Of the many voices and stakeholders within ISAF the 125 Member National Authorities are primary in "Setting the Course" for the organization.
• Progress has been made in the past 4 years in achieving Gender Equity. Progress must continue to the point that by 2012 we are able to demonstrate full equity in opportunity, both in the Olympic Games and in all our other activities.
• The ISAF utilizes a decision making system that is inadequate for today's fast paced world. Changes are needed to assure the ability to make decisions timely.
• A primary purpose of the Olympic Games is to showcase the Sport of Sailing to the world. Events and equipment for the Olympic Games should present all major competitive sailing activities, but not necessarily each activity each Quadrennium. Events and equipment should be, and should expect to be, rotated into and out of the Games from time to time according to a plan.