ISAF Confirms New Strategy for ISAF Sailing World Cup

(April 2, 2014) – The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has confirmed plans for the future of the ISAF Sailing World Cup and the appointment of John Craig to the new position of Head of the ISAF Sailing World Cup to deliver the strategy.

The ISAF Sailing World Cup is the annual circuit of Olympic sailing for elite and professional sailors. Its centre-piece is the ISAF Sailing World Cup Grand Final.

The Grand Final will bring together the top 20 boats in each Olympic event at a four day regatta, providing them with an annual challenge to compete against the best of the best for the crown of ISAF Sailing World Cup Champion and the ISAF Sailing World Cup prize purse.

The ISAF Sailing World Cup gives ISAF, MNAs, sailors and sponsors the benefits of a high-profile annual regatta series, culminating in the live finale at the Grand Final.

Presentation, media services and facilities for sponsors are central to the ISAF Sailing World Cup as well as providing the very best in race management and services for athletes.

Head of ISAF Sailing World Cup
In order to implement ISAFs commercial strategy for the ISAF Sailing World Cup and the Grand Final, ISAF has appointed John Craig to a new role as Head of the ISAF Sailing World Cup. Craig, a renowned International Race Officer joined the ISAF Secretariat on 1 April 2014.

2014 Grand Final
The first ISAF Sailing World Cup Grand Final will take place in December 2014 in the Middle East.

Qualification for the 2014 Grand Final will be based on results at the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships, 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao and the ISAF World Sailing Rankings released on 22 September 2014.

The number of boats in each event will be either 15 or 20. Prize money and shipping support will be provided by the organizers.

Further information will be available during April 2014.

The Future ISAF Sailing World Cup and Grand Final
Full implementation of the new ISAF Sailing World Cup will begin in December 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. The 2015 Grand Final is scheduled for October.

The regatta venues will be selected by ISAF and will be required to meet ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta specifications.

Qualification to the Grand Final is through performance at other graded regattas in the year (starting December of the previous year). The following will qualify in each Olympic Event:

• Winner at each 200-point ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta;

• Top continental crew (based on performance at “home” SWC regatta);

• Top three crews at the Class World Championships;

• Top 6 on the ISAF World Sailing Rankings;

• ISAF invitation wild cards

Where this results in a fleet of less than 20, additional sailors will be taken from the ISAF World Sailing Rankings.

The top continental crew place guarantees every continent at least one place in each fleet at the Grand Final, and reflects the Olympic continental qualification that ISAF introduced for Rio 2016.

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Source: ISAF