The Official
Website of the
International
Sailing Federation

Chris is joined by seven other IUs and seven National Umpires (NU), all appointed by ISAF. In total seven nations will be represented on the International Umpire Team, with officials coming from North America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. The Umpires have their briefing this Saturday at 1200 hours local time. Their action on the water begins on Monday at 0900 when the first races of the Championship get underway.

Chris is one of team racing's most experienced and highly regarded umpires. He is a member of the ISAF's chief decision making body, the ISAF Council, and is the Team Racing Sub-Committee representative on the ISAF Events Committee. Not only did he act as Chief Umpire at the previous ISAF Team Racing World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand in 2003, but he was also a member of the International Umpire Team at the 2001 Worlds in Lake Brno in the Czech Republic. He has also officiated at both the British and American Team Racing Championships, for the coveted Wilson and Hinman Trophies.

Chris is joined by seven other IUs:

Ajay BALRAM (IND) - Like Chris, Ajay was also on the International Umpire Teams at both of the previous World Championships in New Zealand and the Czech Republic. He has been an International Judge (IJ) since 1992, and became an IU in 2000. He is also Chairman of the ISAF Regional Games Committee, and like Chris, he is a member of the ISAF Council.

Don BECKER (USA) - A newly qualified IU, whose IU status was confirmed by ISAF in November 2003, Don nevertheless has an impressive roll call of experience, having been an IJ since 2001 and having, amongst others events, officiated at the ISAF Grade 3 Skandia Cowes Youth Week in Great Britain and the ISAF Grade 3 RNZYS International Youth Match Racing Championship in New Zealand.

Lisa BETTCHER (AUS) - Lisa is another of the International Umpire Team who has previous experience at the Worlds. Like Chris and Ajay she was an official at both the 2003 and 2001 Championships.

With the close nature of the competition, Team Racing provides Umpires with a unique challenge © Event Media

Bruce HEBBERT (GBR) - Bruce has been an IU since 2001. He has officiated at both match and team racing events, including the Wilson Trophy for the British Team Racing Championship.

Marek PAVLOVSKY (CZE) - Marek has been an IU for two years and before that was a very successful team racing sailor, finishing second in the 2002 VOLKSBANK Czech Team Racing Series. Last year he was the Principle Race Officer at the Team Racing Grand Prix Prague in the Czech Republic, and he is set to carry out the role again in the 2005 event from 4-6 November. Marek is also a member of the ISAF International Umpires Sub-Committee

Alfredo RICCI (ITA) - Vice-Chairman of the ISAF International Umpires Sub-Committee, Alfredo comes to the ISAF Team Racing Worlds with a CV consisting of a mix of match and team racing events. Most recently, he has officiated at several Optimist Team Racing events in Italy.

Steve WRIGLEY (USA) - Like Don, Steve qualified as an IU in November of last year. He has an impressive portfolio of officiating at match racing events, and will be using all of his experience in that arena on the Newport waters next week.

The ISAF Umpire Team is completed by seven umpires who have been appointed by ISAF in consultation with the Organizing Committee.

• Tom DUGGAN (USA)
• Fran CHARLES (USA)
• Bryan MCDONALD (USA)
• Glen OLIVER (USA)
• Rob OVERTON (USA)
• David PYRON (USA)
• Masaaki TANAKA (JPN)

The 15 strong International Umpire Team will ensure fair play on the waters in Newport. With the tactical element of competition to the forefront, Team Racing requires the highest standards of umpiring and with the team led by Chris ATKINS, the competitors in the USA can expect no less than that.

For a complete list of all the news from the Grey Goose ISAF Team Racing World Championship CLICK HERE.