Council meetings begin at World Sailing Annual Conference

Hamilton, Bermuda (November 1, 2019) – World Sailing’s Council confirmed the list of Events and Equipment for the Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition today at the 2019 Annual Conference.

Council, the main decision making body of World Sailing, considered whether to change Events and Equipment for Paris 2024 but no one seconded the proposal which was therefore deemed rejected under World Sailing’s rules. Council moved on to the Equipment Committee’s recommendation to select the iFoil as the Men’s and Women’s Windsurfer Equipment for Paris 2024.

Council approved the selection of the iFoil after 31 members voted in favour with eight against and two abstentions. This decision will now go to World Sailing’s Annual General Meeting on November 3 for ratification.

Kim Andersen, World Sailing President, opened the Council meeting by addressing delegates with his President’s report.

Listen to today’s audio with feed of the main screen:

A full update on the day is available below:

President’s Address
World Sailing launched a five-year strategy in 2018 that is broken down into four goals:

• Inspiration and Participation – To build a strong profile and image for sailing.
• Membership and Governance – To provide a professional and valued service to our members that enables the sport to grow in relevance and influence.
• Sport Integrity – To create and regulate, exciting and safe competition events with fairness and integrity
• Leadership in sport – To provide leadership to the sport through strategies that ensure its long-term sustainability and growth.

Andersen gave the Council, and observers, a full update on how World Sailing is delivering each goal and objective.

He opened by talking about World Sailing’s Governance Reform Proposal, “Refreshing the Foundations for Our Future”. For a revised copy, click here.

“The reform sets out to bring the World Sailing Governance structure up to date, and we have a genuine opportunity to shape the future,” explained Andersen.

“The reform is about leading and managing according to a strategy approved by MNAs with a clear direction, momentum, and last but not least, clear goals.

“The new Governance structure is about the inclusion and engagement of all MNAs around the world, making them part of World Sailing’s deciding bodies. It is about developing our sport globally, and not just focusing on the Olympics.

“As your President and as a lifelong sailor, I urge you to embrace this proposal and support it, in order to make us more transparent, inclusive, and accountable as a world governing body.”

Speaking about inspiration and participation, Andersen gave insight into World Sailing’s work around events throughout the past 12 months including READY STEADY TOKYO – Sailing, the Olympic test event, the Hempel World Cup Series, and the Pan Am Games. Furthermore, he gave insight into World Sailing’s broadcasting and social media as well as eSailing and training development.

World Sailing launched a Para World Sailing strategy for 2020-2023 earlier on in the week and during his speech, he commented, “World Sailing has reviewed its strategy for Para Sailing, so it can continue to grow, promote, and develop the sport worldwide. Part of this strategy also includes submitting a successful bid for inclusion in the 2028 Paralympic Games.

“World Sailing is committed to growing Para sailing in collaboration with its MNAs, major events and within the committee structure to achieve its goals.

“World Sailing will continue to support and invest in the Para Sailing Development Programme as well as the inclusion of Para sailors and coaches in the well-established Emerging Nations Support Program.”

To conclude his opening address, Andersen touched on the projects that the World Sailing Trust are delivering to establish itself as a leading charity within the sport.

“This year the World Sailing Trust have launched four exciting projects. Three in marine health including educational resources on six topics in eight languages, sailing club guidance and tools and the World Sailing Ocean Heroes online platform and workshop pilots, all presented on October 29. One in access to sailing which was a strategic review on women in sailing, presented on October 28,” explained Andersen on the World Sailing Trust’s projects.

To conclude the address, Andersen updated Council members on World Sailing’s Sustainability Agenda and its recent achievements. Andersen spoke about World Sailing launching a challenge 2024 at Monaco Yacht Club, Special Events signed up to a Sustainability Charter, a partnership with ICOMIA, and World Sailing’s success at the Beyond Sport Awards and the IOC IF Forum.

Mixed Two Person Keelboat Offshore
Following the selection of a Mixed Two Person Keelboat Offshore Event at the 2018 Annual Conference, World Sailing’s Council clarified the process to select Equipment for the Olympic Event and its qualification events by approving Submission 043-19 with 39 delegates in favour, two against, and zero abstentions.

The submission states that the criteria for suitable Equipment for the Mixed Offshore qualification events will be published no later than December 31, 2020. At the same time, an additional set of criteria will be published for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Equipment. The recommendation also stated that the Equipment for Paris 2024 will be selected no later than December 31, 2023.

Refreshing the Foundations for Our Future
Maria Clarke, independent Chair of World Sailing’s Governance Commission, presented the revised Proposal to Reform the Governance of World Sailing.

The Revised Proposal will provide a number of benefits to World Sailing’s members, such as greater participation and engagement in decision making, increased powers at the Annual General Meeting, more efficient decision making and greater accountability and transparency. Click here for the document.

World Sailing’s MNAs will vote on the Revised Proposal at the AGM on November 3, 2019.

Olympians receive OLY recognition
In 2017, the World Olympians Association (WOA) unveiled a new scheme to recognize Olympians and for them to receive the “OLY” letters after their name.

Supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the IOC Athletes’ Commission, OLY provides a symbolic recognition of an Olympian’s status in society, promoting an Olympian’s social, charitable, and community-based work and acting as a reminder of their achievements and of their responsibility to embody the values of Olympism in everyday life.

Patrick Singleton, Bermudian Olympian in Skeleton and WOA Treasurer, and Malav Shroff, WOA Board Member, presented numerous Olympians in attendance with the status during the Council meeting: Jo Aleh (NZL), Maayan Davidovich (ISR), Stefan Rahm (SWE), Aiko Saito (JPN), Nicolas Henard (FRA), Ian Walker (GBR), Georgis Andreadis (GRE), Ben Remocker (CAN), and Torben Grael (BRA). A number of other Olympians were also recognized.

Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey
Each year, World Sailing invites Member National Authorities and Class Associations to offer feedback to the Executive Office. A brief presentation on World Sailing stakeholder satisfaction was delivered by Alastair Fox, Director of Events. It was noted that 23 areas of work within World Sailing have improved, two are delivering at the same level and eight have declined. In total, a 7.7% improvement has been achieved against 2019.

The findings have been analyzed and focus areas established to increase stakeholders satisfaction ahead of 2020.

Council will resume their meeting on Saturday 2 November from 09:30 local time. Watch live on World Sailing’s YouTube Channel.

A feed from the primary screen and audio will be available to watch below:

World Sailing Annual Conference details… click here.

How to Follow
Daily news reports will be available on World Sailing’s website, World Sailing’s Twitter and Facebook account will cover the event with regular news and updates and daily videos, providing insight into the discussions, will also be available: click here.