Thick fog in Qingdao. OK, this picture was from last week, so we can’t blame it entirely on the ISAF mid-year meeting. One of my Qingdao spies has filed this report at the end of a tense meeting of the Events Committee. ‘SailJuice Mole’ says Events made the following recommendations:
1. To re-open the Olympic equipment debate (this was a close vote).
2. To open up the Equipment options in November if so required.
3. To proceed with the World Cup Series, starting with Melbourne in December 08, then Miami OCR early next year. Just the Grade 1 events essentially, with Palma included – exactly as the Scott McLeod proposal – details to be confirmed by the Executive.
4. Multihulls are NOT dinghies.
5. To only have the ISAF Sailing World Championship every 4 years, in light of the World Cup Series developments.
6. To support an increase in coach boats at the Games.
Other points of note in relation to the Olympic debate: “Interest” is being looked at by Constitution Committee, who are divided on this thorny topic. If someone declares an interest (and the President rules them ineligible to vote), is their vote one less, or considered an abstention?
Friend of SailJuice, US Sailing’s Charlie Cook, reckons “he” has 21 votes – in which case the discussion won’t be reopened. Australia’s Phil Jones reckons there are 26 wanting to reopen… so unless there are 47 votes (which there aren’t), several people/groups are playing both sides of the argument. Couple of key abstentions last November are reconsidering, as they were unhappy about the change to voting procedure in Estoril.
Should be an interesting debate tomorrow.
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Tags: Charley Cook, ISAF mid-year meeting, Olympic Classes, Phil Jones, qingdao
