World Sailing: Seeking to be President

World Sailing, as the governing body for the sport of sailing, is that connection for national authorities (US Sailing, Sail Canada, etc.) and class associations around the world. World Sailing is responsible for:

• The promotion of the sport internationally;
• Managing sailing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games;
• Developing the Racing Rules of Sailing and regulations for all sailing competitions;
• The training of judges, umpires, and other administrators;
• The development of the sport around the world; and
• Representing the sailors in all matters concerning the sport.

Beyond the employees of the World Sailing Secretariat which execute the mission is a volunteer effort that leads the decisions, and the President is the highest position within the organization. With an election every four years, and a two-term limit, World Sailing’s 2020 Annual Conference will decide whether current president Kim Andersen gets his second term.

Three candidates oppose Andersen, with the Dane in a fight to hold office and use the experience from his first term to help World Sailing. Here is his platform:

Kim Andersen

Towards a Better Future for Sailing

After four years of hard work, engaging with members and executing on our plan forward, we are seeing success in our efforts!

For the first time in a long time, World Sailing is setting trends, leading other sports, offering new opportunities to members and sailors around the world.

Having rectified many of the mistakes of the past, our sport is stronger than before. From increased participation to the growth of our sport internationally as well as increased levels of transparency in our governance, we have accomplished a lot.

But there is still more to do, and we must do better! Looking forward to the next four years, my priorities as President of World Sailing for the future are focused on:

• More development opportunities – with the focus on building a stronger platform for development, participation and growth.
• More empowerment for our members – with the focus on building a modern structure that meets the needs of our members and empowers them to make positive decisions.
• More funding for sailing worldwide – with the focus on implementing development and engagement initiatives aimed at officials, youth and gender equality.

MORE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Grassroots is the cornerstone of our sport. Every step we take must always consider the involvement of our sport’s base and focus on building a stronger platform for participation and growth. The last four years we have laid the foundation and created new opportunities in development, we must not only continue on this path, but we must strengthen and expand our development opportunities.

In order to continue building up our sport we need to invest more resources in attracting youth to sailing and ensure that our MNAs (member nations) have the resources they need to succeed with development programs in their countries.

As President, I am committed to:
• Strengthening the link and support to regions and continents.
• Supporting regional and continental games.
• Actively engaging with MNAs by outlining their development needs.
• Implementing new funding streams specifically focused on participation & development initiatives.

MORE EMPOWERMENT FOR OUR MEMBERS

As an organization, we are only as strong as our members. In order to ensure that we have a strong membership, they must be empowered. Over the last four years, this process of empowerment has already started through systematic and effective stakeholder engagement. With a newly appointed CEO with a wealth of experience the World Sailing organization comprised of a young and capable and staff, are better equipped to support MNAs.

While we are making good progress, our World Sailing vision has been overshadowed by the current governance structure and by past management challenges/changes. However, now for the first time in years we have a clear way forward .

We can now deliver to the overwhelming majority of MNAs who are asking for a new structure; one that is modern, meets the needs of our members and empowers MNAs to make positive decisions for the future of our sport. Now is the time to get back to having a clear management structure, with clear lines of communication and defined services for our MNAs.

As President, I am committed to:
• Increasing MNA participation and engagement in decision making.
• Clearly distributing powers from the members (AGM) to Council, Board and Executive.
• Strengthening the support and engagement to classes and event organizers to support, develop and share knowledge.
• Strengthening the connection and engagement between WS staff and MNAs.
• Implementing strong roots to the sailing community.
• Creating a platform to expand relationships with Sailing stakeholders (including IOC, ASOIF, etc.).
• Strengthening the support and engagement to classes and event organizers to support, develop and share knowledge.

MORE FUNDING FOR SAILING WORLDWIDE

Behind every successful organization, there are healthy and responsible finances. Four years ago, we were misinformed about the financial situation of World Sailing. Since then, a new financial model has been implemented to ensure that World Sailing is never again put in uncertain waters ever again.

As we plan for our financial future, we are in a much better state than four years ago with a safe and sound financial plan in place. However, the commercial potential of ow attractive sport is far from being exploited. After focusing more on financial stability, it is now time to take the next step forward.

As President, I am committed to:
• Leveraging our brand together with our social media exposure to drive commercial impact.
• Using the new WS commercial offerings to activate new sponsors and new funding.
• Using World Sailing Trust to implement new initiatives for the benefits of MNAs.
• Attracting new merchandising opportunities.

For additional information, click here.