ISAF Conference
report - Madrid 2008
I have just returned from the ISAF Conference
in Madrid, and following is my summary of the proceedings.
Our class entered itself for consideration
for the Men's single handed dinghy position. We were
subsequently asked by ISAF to be considered for the
Men's heavyweight position as well.
To be clear, the 2008 Olympic Sailing
event used the Laser for the Men's single handed dinghy
position and the Finn for the Men's heavyweight position.
Each event has specific requirements laid
down by ISAF for the ideal boat to fulfill the particular
event.
It is important to understand that each
event has different criteria, so for instance the criteria
for the high performance two man dinghy may be for a
suitable boat that is fast, exiting and media friendly,
whereas the criteria for the woman's single handed class
may consider that worldwide availability is more important.
I went to both the Equipment committee
and Events committee meetings, as these were the most
relevant guiding committee’s for the council (their
decision helps the council to make the final decision)
The most important findings of my visit were to understand
that the two committees have a priority to their decision
making process:
Events synopses and equipment selection
guidelines for the two events we were being considered:
One person dinghy
The boat should be simple and inexpensive equipment
to highlight on the water skills.
Equipment should be accessible to all
sailing countries and be suitable for average weight
sailors.
The boat should reward on the water sailing skills and
physical fitness
It should be suitable for average weight athletes, be
inexpensive and available worldwide.
ISAF have additional equipment notes that
underline suitability to be supplied equipment, low
cost and high global availability as the most important
elements.
The Laser has been selected for this position.
The considered classes were Europe, Finn,
Moth, Laser and Musto Skiff
One person dinghy heavyweight
This is a boat that enables the Olympic regatta to reflect
and promote single handed sailing at its most demanding,
and for a wider weight range. Equipment should reflect
innovation in racing and / or demand extreme skills,
and be accessible to most sailing countries.
The boat should reward on the water sailing skills,
physical fitness and technical skills
Innovation in design, technology, format of racing and
courses
Media appeal
Fast and athletic
Scope for development
The Finn has been selected for this position.
The considered classes were Finn, Laser
and Musto Skiff.
It should be noted that as the Laser was
recommended by committee for the Men's single handed
class, it therefore could not be considered for the
Men's single handed heavyweight. Therefore the selection
was a direct contest between the Finn and our class.
I was allowed to speak on the classes
behalf in the Equipment committee meeting, and I pointed
out that all three classes were significantly different,
and should not be compared like for like. I recommended
that the committee decided on what they saw as the future
for sailing, not for the short term.
Unfortunately we only received one vote from the committee,
which is a clear indication that ISAF see the Finn as
being most suitable.
My thoughts are that this was not surprising,
as we have only recently become a class that ISAF are
aware of, although a bit disappointing that they felt
the Finn fitted the criteria so specifically to gain
all the votes except one.
Congratulations to the Laser and Finn
classes on their selection.
In summary, the visit was worthwhile,
and a great deal has been learned.
Kind regards
Paul.
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