The Official
Website of the
International
Sailing Federation

After presenting a series of challenges yesterday, ISAF President Göran PETERSSON (SWE) launched into the hot topics of this year's Conference on the second day of Council meetings.

Before the debating began, the Council heard reports from ISAF's 2006 events, including a record breaking Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, the re-launched ISAF Nations Cup and the Austrian adventure at the ISAF World Sailing Games.

Qingdao Success

ISAF Vice-President and 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition Technical Delegate David KELLETT (AUS) also gave a presentation on this year's Olympic Test Event in Qingdao, China. From the Opening to Closing Ceremony, Qingdao hosted a spectacular event, massively supported by the local population. 50,000 tickets were sold for the regatta, including 10,000 to watch 17 year old Zhennan FANG (CHN) win gold for the hosts on the Medal Race day.

The Vice-President pointed to the excellent co-operation between the technical officers at the event, the coaches and the sailors. He also singled out the contribution of the Chinese volunteers in making the Test Event such a success.

Looking towards 2008, the Council approved Submission 064 (as amended by the Windsurfing Committee) to introduce a new media friendly Medal Race course with a slalom finish for the two windsurfer events. Submission

Submission 079 to delete Regulation 16.1.6, which currently limits the classes from which ISAF can choose the equipment for the Olympic Games and Regional Games, was deferred. This followed the recommendation of the Events Committee, who felt the proposed removal of the regulation would have undesirable affects on the Regional Games.

Two New Classes

One of the key topics was several applications for ISAF Class status. Two new classes were approved for ISAF Recognized status - the Musto Performance Skiff and the X-35 Keelboat. Both the RS:X and the RS Feva were approved for ISAF International Class status.

The Qingdao Olympic Sailing Centre came in for praise in a report on this year's Test Event © sailing2008.org

Back with the Olympic Classes, the focus shifted to a proposed ISAF World Cup series. Yesterday the President had spoken of the need to maximise 'the Olympic opportunity' and around the table there was consensus that this was going to be a vital step forward for the sport. Henri VAN DER AAT (NED) reflected this in saying, 'The classes and event organizers are behind this and have said we want to do this.'

Unsurprisingly for such an important topic the debate was lengthy and in depth and will continue on the final day of Council meetings tomorrow.

About The ISAF Council

The ISAF Council is the final decision making body of ISAF. It is chaired by the ISAF President Göran PETERSSON (SWE), who was elected along with the seven Vice-Presidents for a four-year term in 2004. Along with the President and Vice-Presidents, the Council also includes the other members of the Executive Committee, Presidents of Honour HM King Harald V of Norway and HM King Constantine (both non-voting). There are also 28 appointed members (representing each of the regional groups of sailing nations), and representatives of the Offshore Committee, ISAF Classes Committee and a Women's Representative.

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.