IFDS is managed by 14 Committees, Commissions and Advisory Groups. The day to day are activities are operated through the Disabled Sailing Administrator based at the ISAF Secretariat.

Click on the name of an IFDS Committee Member to send them an email.

IFDS Executive Committee

John Twomey (IRL) - IFDS President
Betsy Alison (USA) - IFDS Vice-President
Bernard Destrubé (FRA) - IFDS Vice-President
Wilfried Klein (GER) - IFDS Vice-President
Henry Sleutel (NED) - IFDS Vice-President
Brian Todd (CAN) - IFDS Vice-President

Terms of Reference:

The Committee shall:

1. Undertake all executive duties on behalf of IFDS;
2. Implement the policy and recommendations of the IFDS Annual General Meeting;
3. Nominate persons to committees, including co-options for ratification by the IFDS AGM;
4. Receive reports and debate any recommendations from committees, working groups and other IFDS representatives;
5. Formulate agendas for the IFDS AGM, IFDS Executive Committee Meetings;
6. Charge working groups and representatives with tasks as appropriate;
7. Prepare and maintain the annual budget and to produce financial statements for the IFDS AGM and IFDS Executive Committee Meetings;
8. Report on actions and activities to the IFDS AGM;
9. Meetings. Bi-monthly telephone conferences and two face to face meetings per annum.

IFDS Classification Sub-Committee

The IFDS Classification Sub-Committee shall consist of the Chair, who is the Head of Classification, a Vice-Chair and a number of members. Members can be nominated from time to time by the General Members (RNA's), the Chair or the IFDS Executive Committee and appointed by the IFDS Executive Committee.

Jürgen Schwittai (GER) - Head of Classification, IFDS International Classifier
Peter Anastassiadis (AUS) - IFDS International Classifier
Holly King (GBR) - IFDS International Classifier
Sue Parry (GBR) - IFDS International Classifier
Sarah Ross (GBR) - IFDS International Classifier
Stephen Wilson (AUS) - IFDS International Classifier

Whenever necessary, the members of the Medical Committee and the Classification Sub-Committee shall work together.

Pedro Leite da Cunha (POR) and Benedict Tan Chi' Loong (SIN) and Sarah Ross (AUS) are also IFDS International Classifiers.

Terms of Reference:

The Committee shall:

1. Implement and administer the IFDS Functional Classification System;
2. Create forms and passports;
3. Initiate to form an appeal body;
4. Develop, plan, coordinate and conduct classification, classification seminars and training for future classifiers;
5. Provide additional training and updating for current classifiers;
6. Maintain certification and endorsement of classifiers in line with IPC regulations and guidelines;
7. Organize classification worldwide and classification teams for IFDS events as requested;
8. Communicate to sailors and other interested parties information related to classification issues, changes and opportunities;
9. Maintain the following databases in coordination with the IFDS Secretariat;
   1. IFDS International Classifiers
   2. Chief National Classifiers
   3. Potential International Classifiers/Seminar Students
10. Establish budgetary requirements;
11. Liaise with the ISAF Race Officials Committee;
12. Liaise with the IFDS Technical Committee regarding adaptations;
13. Liaise with other IFDS Committees as needed;
14. Develop a Data Base of sailors;
15. Liaise with the IFDS Secretariat to maintain accurate classification records of sailors (Classification Masterlist);
16. Communicate with Chief National Classifiers and Classification students (news letters/internet forum).

IFDS Coaches Commission

Betsy Alison (USA) - Chairman
Mark Rushall (GBR)
Brian Todd (CAN)
Akis Tsarouchis (GRE)

IFDS Development Committee

The Development Committee shall consist of a Chair, a Vice-Chair and a number of members that shall be nominated from time to time by the General Members, the Chair, or the Executive Committee and appointed by the Executive Committee.

Debbie Blachford (GBR) - Chairman
Brian Campbell McCandless (NZL)
Berenice Chiarello (BRA)
Pedro Cunha (POR)
Emma Hallén (SWE)
Jackie Kay (AUS)
Gillian Thomson (CAN)
Irene Wentink (NED)
Pei Ying Sun (CHN)

Terms of Reference:

The Development Committee shall:

1. prepare, review and present an updated Development Plan for IFDS;
2. develop disabled sailing worldwide through ISAF, IPC, Sailability World, BSI and any other national or international body with interests consistent with those of IFDS;
3. explore and, where appropriate exploit all means of promoting disabled sailing throughout the world;
4. respond to enquiries related to disabled sailing;
5. in conjunction with the Fundraising Committee, explore options for and work towards obtaining grants and sponsorships;
6. oversee the IFDS Communication Strategy, i.e. Bulletin, Website, publications, On-line Forum;
7. prepare training and promotional materials to support development;
8. work with the Medical & Technical Committees on issues of common interest.

IFDS Equipment Evaluation Commission

The Equipment Evaluation Commission shall consist of a Chair, a Vice-Chair and a number of members that shall be nominated from time to time by the General Members, the Chair and the Executive Committee, appointed by the Executive Committee and confirmed at the next General Meeting. The Commission shall additionally request from ISAF a representative from the current or past ISAF Equipment Committee.

John Twomey (IRL) - Chairman
Vasilis Christoforou (GRE) - Sailor
Bernard Destrubé (FRA) - Medical Expert
Brian Todd (CAN) - Coaching Background
Reserve/Emergency - Heiko Kroger (GER) - Sailor
Bill Abbott - ISAF Representative

The events for the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Sailing Competitions are:

• Single-Person Keelboat
• Two-Person Keelboat
• Three-Person Keelboat

Evaluations will be carried out on equipment for the Two-Person Keelboat event in the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Sailing Competitions.

The IFDS Equipment Evaluation Commission has been given the task to evaluate equipment for the Paralympic Sailing Competitions. The immediate tasks ahead are to refine the evaluation process used and then implement that process to choose suitable equipment.

The IFDS Executive Committee has appointed the members to the Equipment Evaluation Commission. Members were chosen based on skill, experience and contribution. The concept is to create a small group of experts rather than a large body of representatives each with their own special interests.

Terms of Reference:

The Equipment Evaluation Commission shall:

1. be responsible for recommending planning and policy recommendations on equipment matters;
2. consider submissions on equipment matters and make recommendations thereon;
3. be responsible for recommending equipment policy with regard to the Paralympic Sailing Competition and;
   1. every four years, at the meeting immediately prior to the Paralympic Sailing Competition, recommend equipment matters relating to the events which are due to compete in the Paralympic Regatta to take place in five years time;
   2. every four years, at the meeting immediately after the Paralympic Games, recommend equipment matters relating to the events which are due to compete in the Paralympic Sailing Competition to take place in four years time;
4. work with classes to assist in their application to become ISAF Classes;
5. maintain a liaison with and be responsible for the supervision of the constitution of such classes recognized by IFDS as being in common use by sailors with disabilities to develop the concept of these classes and further help with integration of sailors with disabilities.

IFDS Events & Scheduling Commission

The Events & Scheduling Commission shall consist of a Chair, a Vice-Chair and a number of members that shall be nominated from time to time by the General Members, the Chair, or the IFDS Executive Committee and appointed by the IFDS Executive Committee. Members of this committee shall include the Chairs of the IFDS Medical, IFDS Technical, IFDS Development Committees and the IFDS Sailors Advisory Council.

Peter Wood (CAN) - Chairman
Betsy Alison (USA)
Micky Ayalon (ISR)
Giulio Comboni (ITA)
Bernard Destrubé (FRA)
Walter Mielke (GER)
David Staley (AUS)
Hannah Stodel (GBR)
Anton Tkachenko (RUS)

Terms of Reference:

The Events and Scheduling Commission shall:

1. solicit and review applications for events that require IFDS sanction;
2. make recommendations to the IFDS Executive Committee as to which applications should be accepted;
3. assist in the selection of Technical Delegates;
4. ensure, to the degree reasonably possible, that all Technical Delegates understand their responsibilities;
5. ensure that event organizers understand relevant IFDS contracts;
6. ensure that event contracts are issued and dealt with in a timely manner;
7. review IFDS, ISAF and class regatta schedules in order to avoid clashes in timetabling;
8. assist the IFDS Secretariat in maintaining the IFDS Racing Schedule.

IFDS Fundraising Committee

Yury Gnap (RUS) - Chairman
John Twomey (IRL)
Serge Jorgensen (USA)
Jan Romme (NED)

Terms of Reference:

The Fundraising Committee shall work on behalf of IFDS to seek funds to support for its activities by:

1. Approaching National and International trust fund managers;
2. Negotiating sponsorship packages;
3. Seeking support 'in kind'.

IFDS Governance & Procedures Committee

The Governance & Procedures Committee shall consist of a Chair, Vice-Chair and a number of members nominated from time to time by the General Members, the Chair or the IFDS Executive Committee.

David Staley (AUS) - Chairman
Micky Ayalon (ISR)
Costas Tsantilis (GRE)

Terms of Reference:

The Governance & Procedures Committee shall:

1. review the Constitution, and By-laws of the organization;
2. review the Terms of Reference of committees;
3. review all submissions concerning the Constitution and By-laws;
4. assist the Executive Committee in interpreting the Constitution and By-laws;
5. assist the IFDS to operate in accordance with its Constitution and By-laws;
6. review other documents and regulations as requested by the Executive Committee.

IFDS Legal Guidance Group

The Legal Guidance Group shall consist of people who are able to provide Legal Guidance to the IFDS Executive Committee.

Lorenz Walch (GER) - Chairman
Balazs Hajdu (HUN)
Stanislav Kassarov (BUL)
Peter Hall (CAN)
Carlo Rolandi (ITA)

Terms of Reference:

The Legal Guidance Group shall provide advice and guidance to the operation of the IFDS.

IFDS Measurement/Classes Committee

The Measurement/Classes Committee shall consist of a Chair, a Vice-Chair and a number of representatives drawn from Paralympic and other classes of equipment used in IFDS events, Technical Advisers and International Measurers, nominated from time to time by the General Members, the Chair, or the Executive Committee and appointed by the Executive Committee.

Gene Hinkel (USA) - Chair
Marko Dahlberg (FIN) - Vice-Chairman
Leocadio Manuel Sanchez Soto (ESP)

International Measurers
Gene Hinkel (USA)
Stefan Ryott (SWE)
Hakan Kellner (SWE)

Paralympic Class Representatives
Marko Dahlberg (FIN) - 2.4mR
Stefan Ryott (SWE) - 2.4mR
Hakan Kellner (SWE) - 2.4mR
Philip Smithies (GBR) - SKUD18
Scott Whitman (USA) - SKUD18
Paul Callahan (USA) - Sonar
Mark Rushall (GBR) - Sonar

Other representatives to be determined.

Terms of Reference:

The Measurement/Classes Committee shall:

1. be responsible for organizing, revising and updating measurement records of relevant Classes used in IFDS and Paralympic events as necessary;
2. liaise with relevant class representatives regarding class rules relating to disabled sailing;
3. provide assistance to those classes as necessary;
4. develop a data base to assure accurate record keeping and to provide a central source of information;
5. communicate with sailors about issues relevant to measurement;
6. liaise with Technical Delegates to assist with IFDS events;
7. work with the IFDS Medical and Development Committees on issues of common interest;
8. work with the IFDS Technical and Medical Committees on issues relating to adaptations and safety as they relate to measurement;
9. work with the IFDS Events & Scheduling Commission to provide event and dates coordination, including both open and disabled sailing regattas;
10. liaise with the ISAF Measurers Committee and other ISAF committees as appropriate;
11. recommend measurers for IFDS Grade 1 events and others as necessary;
12. nominate candidates for the position of International Measurer or recommend nominees as appropriate.

Current Classes include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

(a) Paralympic Classes:
Three-Person Keelboat - Sonar;
Two-Person Keelboat - SKUD18;
One-Person Keelboat - 2.4mR;
(b) Other equipment used in IFDS events:
Challenger Multihull;
Hobie Trapseat;
Access Liberty;
(c) Other classes as deemed necessary.

IFDS Medical Committee

The IFDS Medical Committee shall consist of a Chair, Head of Classification (former Chief International Classifier) and a number of members nominated from time to time by the General Members, the Chair or the IFDS Executive Committee and appointed by the IFDS Executive Committee.

Bernard Destrubé (FRA) - Chair, IFDS Medical Committee, IFDS International Classifier, ISAF Medical Commission
Jürgen Schwittai (GER) - Head of Classification, IFDS International Classifier
Stephen Wilson (AUS) - IFDS International Classifier
Jenny Molson (CAN) - IFDS International Classifier
Itzhak (Tzaki) Siev-Ner (ISR) - IFDS International Classifier

Terms of Reference:

The Committee shall:

1. Monitor, review, update and revise the IFDS Functional Classification System as needed;
2. Liaise with:
   1. ISAF (Medical, Doping, TUE's, Safety);
   2. Corresponding Structures/Committees in IPC;
   3. WADA (World Anti-doping Agency);
   4. IFDS.
3. Examine issues relating to doping and sports medicine;
4. Address matters relating to sports science and the physical or mental health of sailors;
5. Examine matters related to safety, including adaptations;
6. Evaluate safety features of new boat classes and those in use;
7. Initiate and/or conduct research as necessary for:
   1. Revisions and additions to the Functional Classification System;
   2. Scientific evaluation of the Functional Classification System (see IPC Classification Code);
   3. Sports medicine
   4. Safety
8. Provide education in/of:
   1. Sports Medicine and safety
   2. Coaches and event organizers in medical/safety related matters
9. Coordinate and develop grant proposals and special projects;
10. Align IFDS documentation with appropriate protocols and the FCS and IPC Classification Code;
11. Develop and maintain budgetary requirements, including Classification Committee requirements;
12. Work with IFDS Secretariat to provide and maintain communication with the committee and with sailors as needed.

IFDS Sailors Advisory Council

The Sailors Advisory Council shall consist of a Chair, a Vice-Chair and members nominated from time to time by the General Members, the Chair, or the IFDS Executive Committee and appointed by the IFDS Executive Committee. Membership shall be drawn from sailors who are or have actively competed in Paralympic, World Championship, International or other relevant regattas during the previous five years. Two members should represent each of the major events recognized by the IFDS.

Hannah Stodel (GBR) - Chairman
Massimo Dighe (ITA)
Colin Harrison (AUS)
Bob Jones (USA)
Maureen McKinnon-Tucker (USA)
Masaru Otsuka (JPN)
Zoltan Pegan (HUN)
Ademir Periera (BRA)
John Robertson (GBR)
Gillian Thomson (CAN)

Terms of Reference:

The Sailors Advisory Council shall:

1. facilitate communication between disabled sailors generally and the IFDS Executive Committee;
2. provide information and feedback to the IFDS Executive Committee on any issue relevant to sailors;
3. conduct electronic and face-to-face forums through which disabled sailors may express their opinions on relevant matters.

IFDS Technical Advisors

Gene Hinkel (USA) - Technical Advisor, Sonar, SKUD18 Classes
Stefan Ryott (SWE) - Technical Advisor, 2.4mR Class

IFDS Technical Committee

The Technical Committee shall consist of a Chair, a Vice-Chair and a number of members nominated from time to time by the General Members, the Chair or the Executive Committee and appointed by the Executive Committee and appointed by the Executive Committee.

Ralph Roberts (NZL) - Chairman
Micky Ayalon (ISR)
Lynne Beal (CAN)
John Figgures (GBR)
Gene Hinkel (USA)
Peter Johnson (GBR)
Walter Mielke (GER)
Henry Sleutel (NED)
Brian Todd (CAN)
Costas Tsantilis (GRE)
Akis Tsarouchis (GRE)

Terms of Reference:

The Technical Committee shall:

1. be responsible for creating, revising and updating documents (e.g. Rules of Race Management) related to IFDS racing rules, race management, event management and boat adaptations;
2. consider submissions on technical matters not otherwise covered by other committees;
3. create subcommittees as necessary to include but not necessarily be limited to:
   1. Technical Advisors
   2. Adaptive Equipment
   3. Boat Modifications
   4. Classes used in Disabled Sailing
4. liaise with Technical Delegates to assist with IFDS events;
5. work with the Medical and Development Committee on issues of common interest.