RSX Olympic Windsurfing Class

Coaches wanted

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:30:31 +0000

The RS:X Class is in the process of developing a coaching programme to assist smaller nations to develop windsurf racing in their countries and raise the level of competition.

In addition, there are countries who wish to fill full time permanent coaching posts.

If you are a windsurfing coach with Olympic Class experience and wish to know more, please contact Rory Ramsden at rory.ramsden@btopenworld.com

ISAF Conference: ISAF votes for Olympic strategy overhaul

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:28:32 +0000

A major overhaul for ISAF’s approach to Olympic sailing looks set to come into fruition after the Council accepted the need for an overall strategy towards the Olympic Sailing Competition. This decision is by far the most important to come from the 2008 Madrid Conference and as far as Olympic sailing probably one of the the most significant of the last decade.
Events Committee chairman Bjorn Unger (SWE) introduced Yachting Australia’s Submission 082-08, proposing an overhaul of ISAF’s future Olympic strategy. ‘This is perhaps the most important issue we have. We heard in our discussions yesterday that strategy was mentioned many, many times,’ he said.
The Submission received a significant amount of support around the table.

Class representative Jeff Martin (GBR) said ‘One of reasons for supporting this is to create a longer term process in the build up to the selection of equipment, so the classes that aren’t Olympic have the chance to display what they can possibly offer the Olympics.’
Eric Tulla (PUR) added, ‘It’s important we make plans with sufficient lead time to prepare ourselves for future Games.’
Following these recommendations, Submission 082-08 which will mean an revised role for the Olympic Advisory Commison was passed.
Phil Jones (AUS), representing Yachting Australia, the author of the Submission, was in Madrid to observe proceedings.
He commented ‘We are delighted that the ISAF Committees and Council have all recognised the need for a comprehensive strategy for sailiing in the Olympic Games. Timing is everything and we have a window of opportunity in the next few years to bring about substantial and positive change. I sense there is a real will to move the sport forward.”
‘The challenge will be for ISAF to engage the many stakeholders in sailing - athletes, classes and member countries - in developing the strategy.
‘Time is of the essance and the process will need to be properly resourced. There is a lot of work to do if we are to strenghten the position of sailing in the Olympics. The Commission has a big job ahead. We wish them well with the task ahead.’

Full submission at: http://www.sail-world.com/europe/index.cfm?SEID=0&Nid=50844&SRCID=0&ntid=19&tickeruid=0&tickerCID=0

ISAF Conference: President re-elected

admin — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:54:02 +0000

Göran PETERSSON of Sweden has today been re-elected to serve a second term as President of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) at the ISAF General Assembly in Madrid, Spain. The seven Vice-Presidents for the next four years were also elected.

The election for the President and seven Vice-Presidents of ISAF occurs every four years as part of the ISAF General Assembly. All Member National Authorities (MNAs) of ISAF are entitled to send a delegate to the General Assembly to vote in the election.

Göran PETERSSON (SWE), ISAF President since November 2004, ran unopposed and was re-elected as ISAF President for a second term which will run up until November 2012.

ISAF President Göran PETERSSON said: “I’m extremely honoured to be elected as President of the International Sailing Federation. It is a great honour and a privilege to serve in this position. I would like to congratulate the Vice-Presidents who have been elected. I am looking forward to having a very productive four years together.”

The President added, “It is hard to believe it has been four years since you elected me in 2004. The world has changed much over those four years and so has the sport of sailing. We have achieved a lot but we still have a lot more to achieve.”

There were 12 eligible candidates for Vice-President (Ralph NELLES of Mexico withdrew from the election). The seven Vice-Presidents elected are: Tomasz HOLC (POL), Nazli IMRE (TUR), David IRISH (USA), Teresa LARA (VEN), Teo Ping Low (SIN), Alberto PREDIERI (ITA), Eric TULLA (PUR)

ISAF Conference: RS:X selected for 2012

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:35:33 +0000

The ISAF Council has just voted to select the RS:X for both men’s and women’s events at the 2012 Olympic Regatta

The chairman of the ISAF Event’s Committee, Bjorn Unger, proposed to the council that they take 8 sets of equipment (all those apart from the women’s double handed dinghy and women’s match racing) voted through in one block. All those pieces of equipment in the block have been supported overwhelmingly by members of the Events Committee, Equipment Committee and Women’s Committee. The vote in favour of this block of equipment was 31 for and 4 against.

If you add up the total number of votes that the FOD bid attracted either directly or by implication, the total amounts to 7. The Total number of votes cast in the process was 76 !

ISAF Conference: Highlights from the ISAF President’s Report

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:21:38 +0000

At the start of the ISAF Council meeting, ISAF President Göran PETERSSON delivered the President’s report to Council members

The ISAF President’s report is one of the highlights of the first day of meetings of the ISAF Council and sets the tone for the decisions to come. Below are some of the key issues raised by ISAF President Göran PETERSSON (SWE) during his Presentation to Council, including the Beijing Olympic Games, the 11th medal at the 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition, the ISAF Sailing World Cup and the new ISAF Learn to Sail Training Programme.

View the highlights of his report here http://www.sailing.org/26106.php

Rolex World Sailor of the Year: Alessandra Sensini

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:22:30 +0000

ISAF and Rolex are proud to announce that the female and male winners of the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards 2008 are Alessandra Sensini (ITA) and Ben Ainslie (GBR)

“It’s so difficult to describe my feelings in this moment,” said Sensini upon being named the female ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year. “It’s an honour to stand on the same stage as the best sailors in the world and receive this recognition. I remember seeing the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and dreaming of being on the podium with my country’s flag. I’ve now completed 5 Olympics, that’s 20 years of adapting to new technologies and changes and to be here now, tonight, is so important and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

Ben Ainslie made history once again this evening as the first person ever to have won the Award three times in his career. “Like Alessandra I would like to give a big thank you from my heart to everyone who made this happen,” Ainslie said, gesturing to his parents and his sister who joined him at the Award ceremony. When asked what his plans are for the future Ainslie’s ambitions were clear: “The next goal for Britain is to try for the America’s Cup- we have a great British team. There are a lot of America’s Cup heroes in this room and we hope to see you on the water in the near future,” he added with a smile.

The nominees:

Female:
Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb & Pippa Wilson (GBR)
Claire Leroy (FRA)
Elise Rechichi & Tessa Parkinson (AUS)
Alessandra Sensini (ITA)
Anna Tunnicliffe (USA)

Male:
Ben Ainslie (GBR)
Tom Ashley (NZL)
Francis Joyon (FRA)
Vincenzo Onorato (ITA)
Ian Williams (GBR)

ISAF Conference: Events Committee vote

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:12:27 +0000

The ISAF Events Committee has just voted overwhelmingly in favour of the RS:X as the equipment to be used at the 2012 Olympic Regatta. 17 votes were cast in favour of RS:X and only one for FOD

ISAF Conference: Equipment Committee vote

admin — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:43:13 +0000

The ISAF Equipment Committee has just voted to retain the RSX as the equipment to be used in the 2012 Olympic Regatta

The vote was 14 in favour with one abstention (ISAF Class Committee Rep). This leaves two more stages for the process to pass through before we can relax. The Events’ Committee vote tomorrow and the Council, probably on Friday.

ISAF Conference: Windsurfing Committee decision

admin — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:33:52 +0000

The ISAF Windsurfing Committee decided this morning by a vote of 7 votes to 2 to support the selection of the RS:X as the equipment for the 2012 Olympic Regatta
Although this is a positive step forward, the final decision will be made by the ISAF Council at the end of this week. The vote against Formula is exactly the same as the vote made by the windsurfing committee at the 2000 ISAF Conference in Edinburgh.

The windsurfing committee also decided that prize money in cash or in kind is permitted but may not be a requirement as per the ISAF contract in its Olympic contract.

More news later….

Wind Driven - A biography of Barbara Kendall

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:01:04 +0000

Two months have flown since the New Zealand Olympic Team returned. It seems like an age ago. I have no idea how I fitted in all that training and managed to do everything else as well. When I look back it is amazing how much you can do when you have your eyes firmly set on achievement. I also didn’t realize how much the last 7 months took out of me. By the time I got to the games I was at the end of my pot of energy and the bronchial infection I got right before the competition took the last drop then I used up my reserve to fight for a 6th place.

It was an incredible journey and I am so glad I went through this experience.

Shayne and Janice did an amazing job of helping me hold together and sail at my best to get to the end under the circumstances we faced. Mum also did an incredible job with the girls for the month back in NZ - they were happy and relaxed and never gave us “pay back” for the time we had spent separated.

It was a HUGE effort from all involved and a big thank you to all those that have helped me get to where I am today - it has been an awesome journey.

I could write pages about the games but instead you will have to go and buy the book!!!!!!!
Wendy - my sister has written my biography this year:

“wind driven”
The Barbara Kendall Story,

I am so proud of her effort she rose to the challenge and has recorded my life into 288 pages of entertainment. Earlier on in the year I spent 2 months speaking into a recorder whenever I had a spare chance, in car, airports, before bed and would email her the sound bites she then compiled them into the story.
After the games we had a “boot Camp” to get the book edited, photos done and covers made up - Random House, the publisher, has been so encouraging and professional to work with. Making the whole process for us novices a great experience.

The book hits the shops this month - so far the feed back has been great and I will appreciate any feedback from those who take the challenge!!

Wendy and I are now on the campaign trail to promote the book:

* Radio NZ on the 6th Nov 11.15am
* Womans Day magazine in the next couple of weeks
* Cambell Live coming up soon.
* Book Launch - Takapuna Yacht Club 12th Nov 6pm

And the list continues.

I Have been so busy and have done over 20 talks in schools and corporate over the last two months and there are more to come.

In December I head off to Melbourne then to Switzerland for IOC Athlete Commission meetings - so life is still full steam ahead.

Next year there are more exciting challenges on the horizon and they will be revealed all in good time.

Wishing you all a great few weeks in the lead up to Christmas and thanks again for all your support.

Barbara