Race Officials In The Limelight

On day five of the ISAF Annual Conference the ISAF Race Officials Committee were able to reflect on another year of vital work ensuring fair play on the water, whilst the Constitution Committee set to work maintaining the smooth running of the federation. Volvo Ocean Race star Stan HONEY (USA) was also in Helsinki to lend his incredibly experienced voice to the Special Regulations and Oceanic Sub-Committees.

Put simply, without Race Officials, racing at the top level would not take place. From the America’s Cup, to the Volvo Ocean Race, to the Olympic Games, they are a vital part of the sailing world, although they rarely get the credit they deserve.

Amongst the key decisions in today’s meeting, the Race Officials Committee gave their support to Submission 117 on Performance Reporting. They also received feedback on the successful series of clinics and seminars this year, with particular praise going to the Rule 42 workshops conducted by Bill O’HARA (IRL).

Like the Race Officials, the Constitution Committee might not receive many headlines at the Conference, but nevertheless fulfil a vital role. They are responsible for ensuring that new rules and regulations and the constitution are all sound and put in simple terms wherever possible.

Volvo Star In Helsinki

At the Special Regulations Sub-Committee, ABN AMRO ONE navigator Stan HONEY (USA), the man skipper Mike SANDERSON (NZL) called ‘the smartest man I have ever worked with’, made a presentation along with Sten EDHOLM (SWE) on the Volvo Ocean Race. HONEY also sat spoke about the race at the Oceanic Sub-Committee meeting in the afternoon.

Early this morning, the first Connect to Sailing seminar on training followed up on the Youth and Development Committee’s focus on participation yesterday. Read more on the seminar HERE.

Also meeting today were the Sail Rankings Sub-Committee, the Regional Games Committee and the Equipment Control Sub-Committee. The latter will report their findings at tomorrow’s major meeting of the Equipment Committee. Other big meetings tomorrow take place for the Women’s Sailing Committee and the Racing Rules Committee.

Meetings Microsite

The ISAF Meetings microsite – www.sailing.org – contains the Agendas, Supporting Papers and Submission from past meetings, 1997 to date. Via the online Minutes Archive you can access all past minutes of ISAF Committee Meetings from 1993 to date.

For all the news on the ISAF Annual Conference CLICK HERE.