Ireland welcomes the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) this weekend when the executive of the world governing body meets in Dublin. The group will combine their meetings with a number of Irish Sailing Association (ISA) functions with President of Honour and IOC member King Constantine of Greece in attendance.
Considered by some to be struggling on the water, the sport in this country can rightly point to a variety of successes on the administrative front.
The ISA are never slow to play this card and the meeting this weekend can be seen as recognition of the strong role played by Ireland on the international stage. The executive will have plenty to discuss with considerable comment filling the internet elsewhere following the annual conference at Edinburgh in November.
Among the issues requiring resolution is the publication of the revisions to the Racing Rules of Sailing. With just weeks before the spring season gets underway, organisers are unable to complete arrangements for the events with formal documents such as Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions still be finalised.
Two other issues have also provoked widespread comment. In addition to the choice of the Yingling class as the women's boat for the Athens 2004 Olympics, new regulations require every crew-member of a competing boat to be members of a properly affiliated organisation.
This is usually a yacht club linked to the ISAF through the ISA.
Several solutions have appeared in recent weeks. The North American based Scuttlebutt free e-mail listing has formed a Sailing Club affiliated to US Sailing thus allowing all subscribers automatic eligibility under the new rule. In this country, the ISA expects to issue an amendment excusing first-time and casual sailors from the requirement. A definition for the latter term has yet to be decided.
Monday sees the ISAF group join their ISA colleagues for the Cork Dry Gin Sailor of the Year Awards at the Old Jameson Distillery. The occasion will be of particular interest as Olympic Council of Ireland President Pat Hickey will be in attendance along with Richard Burrows, his main rival for the post and King Constantine.
Among the stars of Irish sailing in attendance will be the Chairman and Racing Organiser of Ford Cork Week who were the June winners of the monthly prize announced in Afloat magazine. Clayton Love Minor and Donal McClement are among 10 potential winners of the overall award.
The massive biennial event is facing a tough review of its contribution to the Royal Cork YC following massive losses at the oldest sailing club in the world last year. The a.g.m. of the RCYC took place last Monday where increases in membership rates were agreed. An increase in subscriptions combined with a one-off levy on the membership have added a 30 per cent rise to cover the loss of £241,000.
