9 November - 2016 Annual Conference Recap

The Commercial Strategy for the Sport took centre stage on the fifth day of the World Sailing Annual Conference bringing the trio of open forums to a close.

Following the Sustainability and Para World Sailing Forum, the Commercial Strategy for the Sport brought together some of the industry leaders to talk about commercial and sponsorship opportunities.
 
Whilst the Forums have drawn to a close, the Committee meetings continue. A round up of the day is available below:
 
Equipment Committee
 
World Sailing endorsed the Nacra 17 class decision to move to a fully foiling configuration with some construction upgrades to be used at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
 
There were presentations made to the Equipment Committee from four classes who are looking to receive World Sailing class status.
 
Those classes are:
Viper 640 – A three-person keelboat
International One Design – A classic keelboat
Nacra 15 – The Youth Olympic Games and Youth Worlds Multihull
CR:X – A kiteboarding one design with a foiling option
 
All classes are subject to approval at the World Sailing Council and the Nacra 15 and CR:X have been deferred to the Mid-Year Meeting.
 
The Committee also considered head protection in sailing which was presented by Director of Technical and Offshore, Jason Smithwick. The study recommended a standard for events and classes which would require head protection at their events.
 
#OurSustainableFuture
 
We’ve been catching up with some sailors and delegates at the conference, finding out about their thoughts on #OurSustainableFuture, using the hashtag that followers of the conference are engaging in.
 
Follow on our social media channels to get the latest but Luke Patience (pictured) gave us his thoughts on sailing’s sustainability, “Sailing is a wonderful sport because we can constantly change it, it’s not like tennis where the court and the net will be always the same.
 
“We need to make it look cool on the media, which can come from different formats of racing. Reaching out to more people, the sport will be more sustainable from the economic point of view.
 
“We have to evolve, and we are doing it, that’s why it’s important to be here at the World Sailing Annual Conference.”
 
Stay tuned on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more this week.
 
The Regional Games Committee
 
Betsy Alison, Chairman of the Para World Sailing Committee spoke to the Regional Events Committee about how the Para World Sailing disciplines could possibly be integrated in to Regional Games as World Sailing look at getting the sport reinstated in to the Paralympic Games.
 
There was also updates from representatives of upcoming Regional Games on their progress and the appointment of officials as well as recaps of the most recent events to take place.

By Richard Aspland – World Sailing
 
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.