World Sailing launches National Race Officer courses in Egypt and Slovakia

Held in Alexandria at the Yacht Club of Egypt, the two-day course in Egypt delivered by World Sailing Race Officer Developer, Chandra Shekar Dalai (IND), brought together 10 male and 3 female race officials to learn about race management through a combination of theoretical sessions, practical exercises, and guided discussions.

Mohamed Gamal, course organiser said, “This clinic was very important. It is the first time Egypt has organised a National Race Officer course with World Sailing and the most important thing for us was to practice the theory with practical activities and to gain useful qualifications to help participants progress further.”

Shortly after the conclusion of the course in Egypt, focus shifted to YC Marina in Liptovska Mara, Slovakia.

Ten participants – six male and four female – took part in a two-day National Race Officer Level 1 course led by World Sailing Race Officer Developer, Elena Papazoglou (CYP).

Course organiser Borka Bachrata from Slovak Sailing Federation said, “Feedback from the participants has been very positive, with many stating that their interest and motivation to continue learning increased after the course. The group included young officials, just 16 years old, with almost no experience and some with basic training but little practice, but all said they now have practical tools so they can help at their local club regattas and become an Assistant Race Officer.”

Following the attendance of the in-person Level 1 course, participants were all provided with access to the online test through the World Sailing Academy, with all on track to pass the course.

The National Race Officer Program is a new World Sailing programme that is uniquely tied to the World Sailing Academy. To participate in the Level 1 Course, participants must take and pass the online Fundamental Race Management Course as a pre-requisite thus enabling the Level 1 in-person course to be more practical in nature. It also ensures that all participants have a basic knowledge and are all at the same level going into the in-person Level 1 Course.

The online Fundamental Race Management Course and Level 1 Course are both currently available in English, French and Spanish, and can be translated into additional languages if required.

Several more National Race Officer Level 1 courses will be delivered before the end of the year, with sessions organised in Algeria, Morocco, Belize, Latvia, Jordan, the US Virgin Islands, and Senegal. Level 2 courses have also been organised in Hong Kong, China, Uruguay, Dominican Republic and Colombia.

Find out more about the National Race Officer Training Programme by downloading the application guidebook from the World Sailing website.

If you are interested in hosting a course in the future, please contact training@sailing.org.