Race Officials Committee Working Group Members

Job role: Voluntary Working Group Members
Posted: 16 April 2025
Closing date: 30 April 2025
Term of Appointment: 4 years
Salary Range:  Voluntary Role but all reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with World Sailing expenses policy. 
How to apply: Applications can be submitted by completing this form. Deadline for applications is 30 April 2025.

World Sailing is the world governing body for the sport of sailing, officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). As an International Federation, World Sailing is responsible for promoting the sport, managing sailing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the regulation and development of the sport worldwide.

The principle members of World Sailing are the 147 Member National Authorities (MNAs) and more than 100 Class Associations within the sport.

Our mission is to make sailing more exciting and accessible for everyone to participate or watch and use our reach and influence to create a sustainable future for our sport and the waters of the world.

Digital Officiating

This working group addresses the inclusion of digital technologies into race official practices for all competition policies this quadrennial.

Terms of Reference

• Building on the experience of Paris 2024, devise a strategy for LA 2028 regarding use of live video footage to make real time decisions.
• Consider available options and propose digital solutions for race management and umpiring to make real time decisions.
• Identify digital solutions for umpiring during medal races/medal series for signalling penalties during a medal race/medal series without on-the-water umpires (e.g. sailor headset, watch etc) to ensure that the winner is known with certainty at the finish.
• Identify digital solutions for race management to adjudicate start and finish line decisions.
• Review documentation and race management and umpiring procedures to produce a detailed plan for implementation at Olympic Qualification events in 2026 and onwards.

Criteria (Preferred)

• Experience as an athlete or event organiser
• Experience as a digital race official (not necessarily international level).
• Experience with classes already implementing digital solutions (e.g. SailGP, Olympic Kite series, AC etc)
• Experience in sailing or officiating with fast classes such as Kite and iQFOiL

4 year term – Aligned to the term of the Race Officials Committee 2024-2028

 

Race Official Development

This working group addresses creating and implementing new strategies to increase the number of international officials, with particular focus on gender and geographical diversity.

Terms of Reference

• Identify barriers to entry and progression for underrepresented groups in international roles
• Explore targeted outreach and identify suitable programs to advise Race Officials Committee on actions to promote new officials.
• Monitor and evaluate progress toward set diversity goals

Criteria (Preferred)

• Experience as an official, not necessarily at international level.
• Experience in delivering training, education or development programmes.
• Applications are welcomed from underrepresented groups

4 year term – Aligned to the term of the Race Officials Committee 2024-2028

 

International Technical Delegate Working Group

This working group addresses the administration of the International Technical Delegate discipline.

Roles

• Identify development opportunities and pathways to train and qualify International Technical Delegates.
• Develop and update policies and documents regarding the role of an International Technical Delegates.
• Review recommendations for first time and renewing appointment for International Technical Delegate status.

Criteria (Preferred)

• Experience as a technical delegate preferably as ITD or event organiser
• Experience in delivering regional multi classes or match racing sailing events.
• Applications are welcomed from representatives of regional groups

4 year term – Aligned to the term of the Race Officials Committee 2024-2028

 

Conflict of Interest Working Group

This working group addresses the Conflict-of-Interest policy for Race Officials.

Terms of Reference

• Review and maintain clear, comprehensive guidelines for assessing potential conflicts of interest involving Race Officials
• Evaluate and provide rulings on reported cases based on the established guidelines.
• Update the case database, ensuring it serves as a reference point to help officials understand and navigate Conflict of Interest policies.

Criteria (Preferred)

• Experience as an International Race Official, athlete or coach
• Knowledge of WS Conflict of Interest Guidelines

4 year term – Aligned to the term of the Race Officials Committee 2024-2028

 

Rule 42 Working Group

This working group addresses the current interpretations of Rule 42 and to develop educational resources to support consistent understanding and application by Race Officials.

Terms of Reference

• Review and update the existing interpretations of Rule 42 to ensure alignment with the 2024-2028 Racing Rules of Sailing.
• Develop educational videos on the principles and practical application of Rule 42 for Race Officials.

Criteria (Preferred)

• Experience as an International Judge monitoring R42 at major events

4 year term – Aligned to the term of the Race Officials Committee 2024-2028

 

Electronic Race Officials Platform Working Group

This working group addresses the requirements for an electronic platform designed to collect, manage, and store data related to the activities and assignments of Race Officials, aiming to offer a centralised, accessible, and secure system to support oversight, reporting, and development of all International Race Officials.

Terms of Reference

• Identify key data elements to be collected regarding Race Officials’ activities (e.g., events officiated, roles performed, certifications, evaluations)
• Define technical and functional requirements for the platform.
• Provide a proposal to ROC of a suitable system, including timeframe and budget, to be taken forward to the World Sailing Board for approval.

Criteria (Preferred)

• Experience as an International Race Official with understanding of the existing World Sailing processes for collecting data from race officials
• IT and data management experts

4 year term – Aligned to the term of the Race Officials Committee 2024-2028