From 1-11 November 2012 the world of sailing will gather in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland for the 2012 ISAF Annual Conference.

ISAF Committee, Sub-committee and Commission members will travel from around the globe to Dun Laoghaire where they will be joined by ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs), Class Associations, sailors, event organisers, boat manufacturers and many more. Those in attendance will discuss, debate, make recommendations and decisions on the issues and policies that will take sailing forward into 2013.

Over 130 submissions have been sent to ISAF proposing changes to existing policies, regulations or rules as well as looking to introduce new ones. This year will see key discussions on the selection of equipment and events for the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Sailing Competitions, and, following the release of the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing 2013-2016, the ISAF Case and Call Books will be finalised to be available early 2013.

During the first week all submissions will be discussed at committee meetings ranging from Audit to Oceanic and Offshore. Committees will also consider other areas relevant to them, such as venue selection for future ISAF events and reports on recent events through to Race Official appointments. The recommendations and opinions of these expert committees come together at the meeting of the Council, the final policy decision making body of ISAF. The Council will approve, reject or defer the submissions and other feedback from the committees.

The 2012 ISAF Annual Conference will see current ISAF President Göran Petersson retire along with the seven ISAF Vice Presidents and Council members. They will make way for new ISAF Officers who will be voted in at the ISAF General Assembly on 10 November.

ISAF Officers are voted for by MNAs who represent the nations within ISAF. Officers are elected for a four-year term which will start on 11 November 2012 and end at the next General Assembly, to be held in November 2016.

Away from the meeting rooms, the ISAF Annual Conference offers the chance for delegates to share ideas, stories and to discuss the future of sailing.

The MNA forum on Tuesday 6 November provides a chance for MNAs to build networks with ISAF Connect to Sailing Partners, Class Associations, boat manufacturers, other MNAs and race officials.

Ireland will also play host to the 2012 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards on Tuesday 6 November, celebrating the successes of the best male and female sailors in the world. Making up the females nominees are Támara Echegoyen, Ángela Pumariega and Sofia Toro (ESP), Helena Lucas (GBR), Saskia Sills (GBR) and Lijia Xu (CHN). The Men’s category includes Ben Ainslie (GBR), Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page (AUS), Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen (AUS), Loick Peyron (FRA) and Tom Slingsby (AUS).

All will be vying for the coveted and prestigious award.

To stay up-to-date with the ISAF Annual Conference, a live blog will be available to view throughout the duration at www.sailing.org and news will be available on the ISAF website.

Links

ISAF Meetings Website
http://www.sailing.org/meetings/

2012 Annual Conference Papers
http://www.sailing.org/meetings/2012-conference.php#confpapers

ISAF Communications Department
Tel: + 44 2380 635 111
Fax: + 44 2380 635 789
Email: marketing@isaf.co.uk

Notes for Editors

The ISAF Annual Conference brings together the ISAF Council, Committees and Commissions along with other leading figures from the world of sailing to debate, discuss and decide upon the key issues in the sailing world.

Submissions – proposals to either change an existing ISAF policy or introduce a new policy in the sport – are received in advance from ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs), ISAF Classes, Committee Chairmen and the Executive Committee covering many aspects of the sport.

The Submissions are debated throughout the week and final recommendations are made to the ISAF Council.

It is at this meeting that Council, chaired by the ISAF President, make the final decisions on all submissions. Along with the President, the Council is made up of seven Vice-Presidents, two Officers of Honour (non-voting), the Treasurer (non-voting), twenty-eight appointed members (representing each of the regional groups of sailing nations), and representatives of the Oceanic and Offshore Committee, ISAF Classes Committee, Athletes’ Commission and Women's Forum.

After reviewing and taking in to consideration all the Committee recommendations Council will decide whether each Submission is accepted, rejected or deferred for further consideration. It is then the job of the ISAF Executive Committee to put the decisions into practice working with the ISAF Secretariat team.

Last Updated ( Friday, 26 October 2012 )