6 November - 2016 Annual Conference Recap

The second day of the 2016 Annual Conference has concluded in Barcelona, Spain with a mixture of meetings taking place around the Renaissance Fira Hotel.

More than 900 delegates are expected to attend the Annual Conference throughout the week to engage in conversation centred around an overarching theme of ‘Our Sustainable Future.’
 
World Sailing is covering the Annual Conference via its live blog which is available here – www.sailing.org/media/2016-annual-conference-blog.php. In addition, followers are encouraged to engage with the official hashtag #OurSustainableFuture with the best posts aggregated on the social wall at the conference venue and online here – www.sailing.org/media/2016-annual-conference-social-wall.php
 
An overview of 6 November is available below:
 
Classes Committee
 
The Classes Committee saw Jeff Martin and Helen Mary Wilkes sit as Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the final time with the duo retiring from the committee.
 
Martin had been chair of the committee for 16 years and Wilkes has over 30 years of experience within World Sailing and Vice-President Adrienne Greenwood led a standing ovation for the duo who have given their services to sailing over the years.
 
A vote was conducted for a new Chairman and the Vice-Chairman. IKA representative Markus Schwendtner was voted in as Chair and Finn representative Corinne McKenzie as Vice-Chair.
 
In addition, the committee nominated representatives to the following committees:

• Equipment Committee – David Brookes
• Events Committee – Ben Remocker
• Equipment Rules Sub-committee – Jurgen Cluytmans
• International Measurers Sub-committee – Bruno de Wannemaeker

 
The Classes Committee shows how diverse sailing is as a sport. With a recent record total of 55 classes in attendance, from the likes of the Topper, GP14, FAREAST 28R, Shark 24, Maxi, J/70 and Formula Kite, the list of World Sailing classes is incredibly varied.
 
The committee discussed the submissions to Council and in an open session discussed items such as youth sailing, non-discrimination, keelboat sailing and head protection.
 
Para World Sailing Committee
 
The Paralympic Games was a hot topic at the Para World Sailing Committee and a review of the competition itself was received. Over six days of competition, 80 of the world’s finest Paralympic sailors from 23 nations fought for supremacy on the waters of Rio de Janeiro.
 
Technical Delegate David Staley and Para World Sailing Manager Massimo Dighe delivered the update and the competition was viewed as a success.

Check out some of the final day highlights from Rio 2016 here:

 
The Para World Sailing Strategy was also discussed and this is due to be released this Tuesday at the Para World Sailing Forum where the future of Paralympic sailing will be mapped out.
 
You will be able to follow the Para World Sailing Forum from 14:30-17:30 local time, 12:30-15:30 UTC on Tuesday 8 November on World Sailing’s YouTube Channel via the links below:
URL – https://youtu.be/04KcbRrpYVo
EMBED –
 
Youth World Championship Sub-committee
 
The Youth Worlds Championship Sub-committee discussed the Youth Sailing World Championship and topics which contribute to its running and success.
 
Presentations were made regarding the World Sailing Emerging Nations Program (ENP) and how it has effected and will impact future editions of the Youth Worlds.
 
There was a review of the 2015 Championships in Langkawi, Malaysia where there was a record 76 nations competing and there were progress reports from the selected hosts of the future editions.
 
Updates were provided for the 2018 edition in Corpus Christi, USA and 2019 edition in Gdynia, Poland which followed a presentation from Yachting NZL CEO, David Abercrombie for the imminent 2016 Youth World Sailing Championships in Auckland, New Zealand from 14 – 20 December.
 
Abercrombie’s update showed the progress the Organizing Committee have made in a short space of time bringing in sponsors and transport partners as well as highlighting the accommodation close to the venue. During the New Zealand Youth Worlds team trials the organisers also trialled a mobile application which gives competitors all details about the event, from weather to notices. The app will also be available free to all competitors thanks to supplied Vodafone sim cards preloaded with 20GB of data.
 
 An update was also received on the 2017 edition to be held in Israel next July.
 
The Sub-committee also heard from a representative of the equipment suppliers who play a vital role in the Championship who voiced challenges and presented updates. Chris Turner, from Ovington Boats, spoke on behalf of his company, Nacra Sailing, Nautivela, Maclaren and Neil Pryde Sailing who provide the event for the best youth sailors to use.
 
International Judges / Measurers / Race Management Sub-committee
 
The three Sub-committees met throughout the day and amongst some packed agendas, the Sub-committees considered applications for international race official status. The Executive Office will process the applications over the coming days and these will be available online in the coming days.
 
The Annual Conference will continue on Monday 7 November with an Opening Session at 08:00 officially declaring the event open.
 
Information on how to follow the 2016 Annual Conference is available below:
 
LIVE BLOG
 
World Sailing’s LIVE Annual Conference Blog will report directly from the meeting rooms for the duration of the event. The blog can be found here – http://www.sailing.org/media/2016-annual-conference-blog.php.
 
GET INVOLVED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
 
Followers are encouraged to get involved with the 2016 Annual Conference by using the official hashtag #OurSustainableFuture across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The best posts will be aggregated on the Annual Conference Social Wall which will be on display at the conference venue, the Renaissance Fira Hotel, and online here – www.sailing.org/media/2016-annual-conference-social-wall.php 
 
Follow World Sailing on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ISAFWorldSailing
Instagram – https://instagram.com/isafworldsailing/
Twitter – @worldsailing
Snapchat – Follow our Story on Snapchat, search for worldsailing
 
LIVE VIDEO STREAMS
 
World Sailing’s YouTube Channel will be broadcasting live from the 2016 Annual Conference. The Opening Address, Forums on Sustainability, Para World Sailing, the meeting of Council and the General Assembly will all be streamed live. The feeds are available here – https://www.youtube.com/user/isafchannel/videos?shelf_id=11&live_view=502&sort=dd&view=2
 
NEWS UPDATES
 
World Sailing will be posting daily recaps on sailing.org throughout the Annual Conference. In addition, a number of press releases touching on the hot topics of discussion as well as special announcements will be issued across the week.

By Daniel Smith – World Sailing
 
World Sailing 2016 Annual Conference Partners

The World Sailing 2016 Annual Conference is supported by:

• FAREAST Yachts – http://www.fareastboats.com/en/home
• Bart’s Bash – http://www.bartsbash.com/
• GAC Pindar – http://www.gac.com/gac-pindar/
• Zhik – https://www.zhik.com/
• Mexico – http://www.rivieranayarit.com/
• Sarasota – http://sports.visitsarasota.org/

About World Sailing’s Annual Conference
 
World Sailing’s Annual Conference brings together up to 700 delegates every first full week of November. It is the central meeting point where the strategy of sailing is reviewed, discussed and celebrated.
 
Over the Annual Conference, participants plan for the future, make key decisions to drive the sport forward, share best practice and generate new ideas.
 
The 2016 Annual Conference will be held in Barcelona, Spain at the Hotel Renaissance Barcelona Fira from 5-13 November.

About the General Assembly
 
The General Assembly of World Sailing takes places every four years. It is on this occasion that the World Sailing Board of Directors (President and Vice-Presidents) and members of the World Sailing Council automatically retire.
 
All full World Sailing Member National Authorities (MNAs) are entitled to be represented at the General Assembly and to vote for the new President and the seven Vice-Presidents.
 
MNAs can nominate members for the World Sailing Board of Directors, Council, Committees, Sub-Committees and Commissions.
 
The next World Sailing General Assembly will take place on Sunday 13 November 2016 from 09:30 – 13:30.