ISAF Annual Conference discusses future of sailing

The 2014 ISAF Annual Conference will take place in Palma de Mallorca, Spain from November 1-8. In attendance, ISAF Committee, Sub-committee and Commission members will be joined by ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs), Class Associations, sailors, event organisers, boat manufacturers, and many more. More than 500 delegates will be present to share ideas, stories and to discuss the future of sailing.

Over 200 submissions have been submitted by Committees, MNAs and Class Associations proposing changes to existing policies, regulations or rules as well as looking to introduce new ones. All submissions and topics will be discussed at Committee, Sub-committee and Commission meetings commencing on November 1. From the Coaches Commission to Oceanic and Offshore Committee, all will consider submissions and other areas relevant to them.

The recommendations and opinions of these expert committees come together at the meeting of the Council, the final decision making body of ISAF, on November 7 and 8. The Council will discuss the recommendations from the committees and will either approve, reject or defer.

The MNA forum on Wednesday, November 5 provides a chance for MNAs to build networks with Event Organisers, Continental Federations, ISAF Connect to Sailing Partners, Class Associations, event organisers, boat manufacturers, other MNAs and race officials.

The 2014 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards banquet is on Tuesday, November 4. The male nominees feature Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (AUS), Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (NZL), Bill Hardesty (USA), Giles Scott (GBR) and James Spithill (AUS). The female nominees are Steph Bridge (GBR), Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (BRA) and Charline Picon (FRA).

Conference details – Live conference blog