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We will be updating the website to provide reports from the various events that have taken place over the past week.

Meanwhile, the ISAF November Conference is currently underway in Barcelona, 8-15 November 2003. This Conference is the annual meeting of the Committees of ISAF at which submissions to amend existing or propose new elements of the sport are debated.

Today saw meetings of the Racing Rules Committee, Youth and Development Committee, Special Regulations Sub-Committee, Team Racing Sub-Committee and World Sailing Rankings Sub-Committee. This meeting was the final meeting at which any submissions to change the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing could be made, and it was an onerous task that the Racing Rules Committee had before them, with more than 100 submissions on their agenda. Having had their recommendations rubber stamped by Council, the Racing Rules Committee will produce the final edition of the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008 for distribution by 20 June 2004. The new edition of the Racing Rules shall come into effect worldwide in 1 January 2005. All submissions can be reviewed via the online Submissions.

Meanwhile the Youth and Development Committee considered matters including the introduction of an international sailing logbook, the creation of a development strategy to support the member national authorities of developing sailing nations, and the effects of high performance sailing on youth sailors.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 11 November, sees meetings of the ISAF Race Officials Committee, Regional Games Committee, Sailing Committee, Constitution Committee and Empirical Handicap Committee.

With more than 400 submissions on the table for discussion, the various ISAF Committees have the task of considering the submissions, prior to making a recommendation to the ISAF Council, the final decision making body of ISAF. The ISAF Council, which is made up of representatives from the groups of member national sailing authorities, will meet from Thursday 13 November to Saturday 15 November.

The ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards will take place on the evening of 12 November 2003, hosted by Paul Cayard. The following day, Thursday, will see the winners and nominees in competition on J/24's off the harbour wall of the Barcelona Olympic Harbour.

Once again, ISAF apologises for the inconvenience caused by the downtime of the ISAF Website.