Tarnishing credibility and reputation

While the actions of World Sailing are seemingly a million nautical miles away from the majority of sailors, the organization is the governing body for the sport which does guide all corners of the globe around the same race course.

Unfortunately, the organization is struggling to follow the basic tenets of sailing about sportsmanship and following the rules, while the recent election highlighted how there exists an undertone of people eager to be relevant, and happy to put their cause in front of the sport.

Is it 2021 yet?

This latest missive comes from World Sailing CEO David Graham on November 9, 2020:
———–
The World Sailing Board is disappointed to learn that over recent days, confidential information related to an ongoing case before the Ethics Commission has been published by a number of media outlets.

It is particularly disappointing to learn of these breaches as very clear statements were given during recent Council meetings that the Board has been advised by an independent barrister, the Chair of the Constitution Committee and the Director of Legal and Governance that the Regulations do not permit the disclosure of confidential information related to an ongoing case. World Sailing’s Regulations and Code of Ethics are very clear on this matter.

The Ethics Commission is tasked with upholding honesty, integrity and good sportsmanship in our sport, and it is important that principles such as confidentiality are respected. It is a key principle of natural justice and procedural fairness that confidentiality must be maintained while an investigation is ongoing and, only when a matter has been determined, can the details of a case be disclosed.
———–
Kim Andersen (DEN), who was unseated as World Sailing President in the recent election by Quanhai Li (CHN), has provided a statement to the public accusations to clarify that, “contrary to some misleading and inaccurate reports in the press (not Scuttlebutt), the matter is still ongoing and the charges have not been heard and I have not yet even been provided with an opportunity to respond.”

To read his statement, click here.