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With 87 classes recognized by ISAF, today's meeting of the ISAF Classes Committee represented the diversity of the sailing world. Along with Chairman Jeff MARTIN (GBR) and Vice-Chairman David SPRAGUE (CAN), there are five other elected figures on the Committee, along with a representative from each of the ISAF Classes.

Towards the start of the meeting, Ken KERSHAW (GBR) made a presentation on the In-House Certification programme, where he illustrated the steps made in its development since getting approval from the ISAF Council last November. Since then ISAF has launched the In-House Certification microsite at www.sailing.org/ihc and a host of classes have registered their interest in joining the programme, including the majority of the Olympic Classes.

The Committee covered a very wide range of submissions relating to the Classes, with Submission 015 on Class Advertising in particular receiving support. After the meeting www.sailing.org spoke to the Committee Chairman Jeff MARTIN. Read the interview HERE.

President Highlights Disabled Sailing Achievements

At the International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) Annual General Meeting held in Helsinki today, the key topics on the agenda were elections for four positions on the IFDS Executive Committee. IFDS President Serge JORGENSEN (USA) and Vice-President Jan ROMME (NED) were both re-elected, whilst David STALEY (AUS) and Linda MERKLE (USA) were elected as two new Vice-Presidents.

ISAF President Göran PETERSSON (SWE) had a busy day, speaking at both meetings. He congratulated the IFDS President on his re-election and paid tribute to the IFDS for their successful efforts in gaining a third event at the Paralympic Games and promoting the development of disabled sailing worldwide.

With just three days to go before the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards are presented, the President was also keen to highlight the fantastic achievements of one of this year's nominees, Helena LUCAS (GBR), who won medals at both the IFDS Worlds and Olympic Test Event this year.

Women's Forum

The ISAF Women's Forum, made up of all the women representatives across the ISAF Committees, met this evening to cover a wide range of topics related to women's sailing. A lot of the focus was on the representation of women's sailing and sports in the media. Lotte MELDGAARD PEDERSEN (DEN), the number two in the Women's ISAF World Match Race Rankings, pointed out the potential of events with both men and women competing together in the same boat - citing the focus she received whilst competing in this year's Portugal Match Cup.

Also meeting today were the International Judges Sub-Committee, the International Umpires Sub-Committee, the Race Management Sub-Committee, the Olympic Classes Sub-Committee and the Youth World Championship Sub-Committee.

Tomorrow's big meeting brings together the ISAF Youth and Development Committee, with participation set to be a focus. Connect to Sailing Project Manager Tim COVENTRY (GBR) will be making a presentation before the Connect to Sailing seminars next week. The Windsurfing Committee and Match Racing Committee also meet tomorrow.

Meetings Microsite

The ISAF Meetings microsite - www.sailing.org - contains the Agendas, Supporting Papers and Submission from past meetings, 1997 to date. Via the online Minutes Archive you can access all past minutes of ISAF Committee Meetings from 1993 to date.

For all the news on the ISAF Annual Conference CLICK HERE.