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Minutes from the 1998 Annual General Meeting of the IFA
Present: Executive Committee: Philippe Rogge (PR,
President); Karlo Kuret (KK, Vice President Sailing); John Callahan (JC,
Vice President Development); Richard Hart (RH, Chairman Technical
Committee); Paul McKenzie (PM, Treasurer); Sarah Kingston (SK, Executive
Director); 29 National Association Representatives and approximately 40
other members of the class.
PR opened the meeting and welcomed all attendees.
1. NATIONAL CLASS ASSOCIATIONS
Voting cards were distributed to the National Class
Association representatives based on the 1998 IFA dues received.
1. MINUTES FROM THE LAST
MEETING
The minutes from the 1997 IFA AGM were approved.
2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
REPORTS
Reports were received as follows:
a. The President
*
PR introduced SK
as the new IFA Executive Director. The IFA office had now been moved to
London and SK had been working for the class since October 1997. PR
thanked Josje Hofland-Dominicus for her many years of loyal service to the
class.
* PR welcomed the new faces at the Finn Gold Cup and
reported that he was pleased to have seen good racing and big fleets at
most of the regattas this year. He gave credit to the National Finn
Associations in each country for encouraging the continued growth of the
class worldwide.
* The Treasurer’s Dues System, as approved at the
1997 AGM, is working well. Whilst providing an increase to the class
revenues the system is also encouraging smaller nations to join the IFA.
PR requested that National Associations remind their sailors to pay their
memberships in good time so that in turn the IFA dues are paid by the
appropriate date.
* PR reported that over 100 boats had competed for
the Finn Masters this year. He congratulated Larry Lemieux on winning and
informed the meeting that Rolf Lehnert (GER) had been appointed IFA Vice
President Masters.
* On the Development side there was still much to be
done. PR introduced John Callahan (USA) as Vice President Development.
* PR reported that the Technical Committee had met
on 15 August 1998. The class was developing fast and there was plenty of
work to be done to ensure that there are no loopholes in the class rules,
particularly bearing in mind that the Finn dinghies will not be supplied
at the 2000 Olympic Games.
* PR informed the meeting that Marc Blees (NED) had
been working on a clothing line for the Finn shop. The website had been
developed and IFA would be seeking some revenue from sponsorship. The
Marketing Commission would be meeting later in the week.
* The meeting was reminded that at the ISAF meetings
in 1999 the events for the 2004 Olympic Regatta will be decided and in
2000 the classes will be chosen. The Finn 2004 Olympic Campaign needs
continuous attention and all attendees were requested to think about what
they could do towards this cause.
* PR summed up his report stating that the recent
year had been good from both sailing and administrative points of view.
(b) The Vice-President Sailing
KK verbally summarised his written report which had been
circulated earlier in the week to members.
* There was an average increase of 33% in the number
of competitors at almost all 1997/98 regattas.
* Equally pleasing was the increase by 24% in the
number of nations participating in those regattas.
* KK gave particular mention to the Europeans this
year which saw 77 Finn sailors attending from 26 countries, compared with
55 from 23 last year.
* He had noticed a similar trend in junior Finn
sailing, and it was healthy to see a number of new faces entering the top
competition in the class.
* KK reported that he saw the new "plastic" sail
revolution as an important step forward in the policy of developing the
Finn as an Olympic Class which leads others in the trend of adopting and
applying modern materials and technology. The new sailors have contributed
to making today’s Finn faster and more manageable in strong winds.
* KK reported that he had been worried to see that
the problem of equipment control had been highlighted this season. Some
sail makers (and sailors that chose to race with those sails) were
infringing the class rules and a solution needs to be found, particularly
bearing in mind the ever increasing number of competitors. KK had written
a separate paper to address this issue (discussed later on the agenda).
* KK reminded members that the IFA Executive
Committee had had to act quickly when Durban withdrew their offer to host
the 1998 Finn Gold Cup. When IFA entrusts countries with the organisation
of a Championship it must be reassured that high standards of organisation
are achieved.
* Many sailors are now focusing on their training in
Australia, starting with the Pre-Pre Olympics in Sydney and preparing for
the 1999 Finn Gold Cup in Melbourne in January. Several have chosen to
spend many weeks in Australia to be well prepared, but KK reminded the
meeting that we must help and support those smaller countries which need
logistic help to travel so far.
(c) The Vice-President Development
* JC was newly appointed so did not have a detailed
report for the meeting.
* He reported that we are now focusing on the Pan Am
Games in Gimli, Canada. This is an ideal showcase for the Finn, and our
first challenge is to get the maximum number of countries to attend. The
second challenge is to make charter boats available.
* It is important to get the Masters and Juniors
involved in the development of the class. The Laser is a good resource
class for Finn sailors.
* JC encouraged all sailors to take juniors Finn
sailing to encourage growth of the class.
[A meeting was held later in the week between JC, the new
IFA Development Coach and the representatives from "developing Finn
countries"].
(d) The Vice-President Masters
* The Vice President Masters had circulated his
minutes from the Masters Meeting on 4 June in Casteletto, Italy. The
President summarised the main points for the meeting.
* The 1999 Finn Masters will be held in Carcans
Maubuisson, Bordeaux, France from 21-28 May.
* The 2000 Finn Masters will be held in Weymouth,
Great Britain in conjunction with the 2000 Finn Gold Cup.
* The Masters have a tradition that the winner of
the Masters Championship may chose the venue for the next Championship,
therefore Larry Lemieux had been asked to provide further information on
possible host clubs on the US or Canadian East Coast.
* Members agreed that it would be healthy for the
Finn class to hold the Masters Championship outside Europe for a year.
* The Masters will be establishing a "Masters’ Page"
on the Finn Website.
(e) The Treasurer
* PM circulated the IFA Financial Accounts for 1997
(to be published in FinnFare).
* The causes of the loss (NLG 14,008) is mainly due
to the gift of the Finn to the IOC Olympic Museum. Also 1997 had
exceptional expenses from coaching clinics and the change in location of
the IFA office.
* PM confirmed that, due to the revised Dues system,
the 1998 membership income would be higher and costs would be spread more
evenly in 1998.
* The IFA Bonds are maturing in Switzerland and we
are currently investigating moving the funds to the UK. The funds will
probably be kept in a low risk savings accounts, but any expert advice
from members in this area would be welcome.
* PM reminded members that the 1999 IFA Membership
Dues are payable 10 days prior to the start of the Finn Gold Cup,
therefore National Finn Associations will be invoiced in December 1998 for
these fees.
(f) The Chairman of the Technical Committee
The following papers were tabled:
- Draft Report of the IFA Technical Committee (TC) dated
July 1998 (previously circulated to National Finn Association
Secretaries).
- The (unapproved) minutes of the TC meeting held on 15
August 1998.
With this report, agenda items numbered 9 and 10 were
discussed, also the minutes of the Masters Meeting on 4 June 1998.
Supporting papers were tabled as follows:
- "Establishing and Control of Class Rules" from Ing. Karlo
Kuret (VP Sailing) (agenda item 9).
- Translation of letter from Dr. Gfreiner of the Austrian
Finn Association dated 19 June 1998. (agenda item 10).
- Minutes of the Finn Masters Meeting dated 4 June 1998.
The TC Chairman commenced his report with an explanation of
how technical development decisions were made within the TC. (This was
requested by the Finn Masters). The process is described and attached to
these minutes as Appendix A.
Sail Material
The submission from the Austrian Finn Association, and the
minutes of the Masters’ Meeting were discussed. TC had discussed the
matter at length during their meeting on 15 August and recommended no
change to the existing rule. The Austrian submission to forbid the use of
Mylar/Plastic sails was voted on and not approved (vote: 0 for; 32
against; 2 abstentions).
After discussions, TC had recommended the introduction of a
limitation to two sails at IFA Major Championships. (vote: 29 for; 2
against; 4 abstentions). The IFA Major Championship rules will be amended
to incorporate this limitation.
Furthermore, the TC recommended that IFA request organisers
of major regattas (ISAF Grade 1 events) to introduce the same limit at
their events. (vote: 25 for; 7 against; 1 abstention).
Sail Measurement
TC had noted that a large number of sails had been
manufactured oversize and had been raced in this condition. On TC’s
recommendation the meeting voted on the motion that official measurement
be required for all Finn sails before they leave the sail loft, if ISAF
agrees that this is practicable." (vote: 19 for; 5 against; 7
abstentions).
The VP Sailing’s recommendation that two official IFA
signatures be obtained on each sail, and that IFA should maintain a
database of such signatures, was not approved (vote: 6 for; 22 against; 4
abstentions).
The meeting rejected the recommendation that IFA request
Grade 1 regatta organisers to fully measure each sailor's two sails before
racing (vote: 9 for; 22 against; 3 abstentions).
Equipment in General
TC, sailors and others had become concerned at the number
of unmeasured or altered items in use at major regattas (other than IFA
Major Championships).
In order to try to reduce this, KK had recommended that
Official IFA Corrector Weights for Hull and Masts be produced in standard
form. His recommendations were voted as follows:
- IFA Official Corrector Weights be produced for hulls
(vote: 0 in favour; 26 against; 5 abstentions)
- A central IFA database be maintained for hull corrector
weights, stating their weight and position (vote: 0 in favour; 24 against;
8 abstentions).
- IFA Mast Labels be produced and placed under the resin on
the mast (stating serial number, weight with and without correction and
position of correction). An IFA database would be maintained with this
information. (vote: 0 in favour; 29 against; 3 abstentions).
The meeting agreed that Mast builders must ensure that
legal masts leave their premises. Masts should be officially measured, if
ISAF agrees that this is reasonably practicable. (vote: 26 in favour; 5
against; 2 abstentions).
The recommendation was made that Grade 1 regatta organisers
invite a measurer (preferably one with experience of Finn measurement) to
their events to make structured spot checks. (vote: 32 in favour; 0
against; 2 abstentions).
TC agreed that other remedies might demand significant
alteration to the class rules and agreed that the Chairman should prepare
a consultation style paper for FinnFare in the hope that a widely
supported course of action could be developed in time for the 1999 AGM.
All sailors were reminded that it is their responsibility
to check that their own equipment complied with the class rules before
they raced with it.
Electronic Aids
Manufacturers of the Tactick digital reading compass/timer
had requested that we clarify our class rule and if necessary alter it to
permit use of their product. The manufacturer of the "Speed Mate Knotmeter"
had also requested an alteration to allow this product and possibly
electronic wind meters.
TC recommended no relaxation of the present rule (vote: 26
in favour; 0 against; 1 abstention).
Measurement Procedure
It was requested from the floor that some details of the
measurement procedure be clarified and promulgated. The TC Chairman agreed
to progress this.
IFA Chief Measurer, J¸ri Saraskin, had developed a more
practical way to measure the fore-and-aft play at the mast bearings. JS
agreed to demonstrate this to sailors at this regatta in order that a vote
may be taken at the next AGM to introduce this method into the regular
measurement procedure.
4. ACCOUNTS
a. The Treasurer presented the Summary of the
Accounts of 1997 and the meeting approved them. PR thanked PM for his work
in preparing the accounts. They will be published in the next edition of
FinnFare.
b. PR reported that the Executive Committee were
currently preparing a budget for 1999 and this will be put forward for
approval at the 1999 AGM in January.
c. The meeting approved that the IFA Accounts will be
converted to Euros from 1 January 1999. (vote: 22 in favour; 1 against; 8
abstentions).
5. ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO IFA COMMITTEES
a. The members of the Executive Committee were
unanimously approved as follows:
President Philippe Rogge
Vice-President (Sailing) Karlo Kuret
Vice-President (Development) John Callahan
Vice-President (Masters) Rolf Lehnert
Treasurer Paul McKenzie
Chairman of Technical Committee Richard Hart
b. The members of the Technical Committee were
approved as follows (vote: 16 in favour; 2 against; 4 abstentions):
Richard Hart (Chairman)
Jan Bjoernberg
John Driscoll
David Howlett
Larry Lemieux
Walter Mai
Andrzej Ostrowski
J¸ri Saraskin
c. The members of the Marketing Committee were
unanimously approved as follows:
Marc Blees (Chairman)
Robert Deaves
Corinne Rolland-McKenzie
Sarah Kingston
d. The Executive Committee recommended that Michele
Marchesini be elected as the new IFA Development Coach. The meeting
approved this recommendation. (vote: 31 in favour; 0 against; 3
abstentions).
6. IFA CHAMPIONSHIP MANUAL
In accordance with the VP Sailing’s recommendation, the
Application Form for IFA Championships and the IFA Championship Manual had
been updated to try to improve standards at IFA Championships. Copies of
these two documents had been circulated to all National Finn Secretaries.
The Executive Committee recommended that the Manual be
amended to include the following:
- The Bond must be paid within one month of the decision.
- Clarify IFA Website in relation to the local organisers
website
- Confirm IF rights to footage of the Championship.
- Increase ramp size to 1.5m per every 10 entries.
With the above amendments the Application form and IFA
Championship Manual were approved. (vote: 27 in favour; 1 against; 2
abstentions).
7. IFA CHAMPIONSHIPS
PR informed the meeting of the Executive Committee’s
recommendations regarding the bid process and they were approved as
follows:
- bids should be presented to the AGM two years prior to
the proposed dates for the Regatta. This will hopefully reduce the
possibility that a host country would lose impetus from approval of their
bid to actually hosting the Championship.
- once approved, bidding cities would be requested to sign
an agreement with IFA (based on the requirements of the IFA Championship
Rules and Manual) and pay the bond within one month of the decision.
- an IFA appointed representative should visit the venue
one year prior to the Championship to meet with the organisers and report
back to the AGM.
- "Expressions of interest" in hosting future championships
beyond two years can be minuted at AGMs.
a. 1999 Finn European Championship
Application forms had been received from Belgium, Estonia
and Turkey. Representatives from those countries gave details on their
applications and the floor voted for their preferred venue: Belgium: 20
votes; Estonia: 7 votes; Turkey: 6 votes.
The 1999 European Championship will be held in Oostende,
Belgium from 5-11 June.
b. 2000 Finn European Championship
Estonia expressed an interest in hosting the 2000 Finn
European Championship. They were requested to come forward with further
details to the 1999 AGM. Any other countries wishing to host the event
will also be considered if their application is returned in due time.
c. 2001 Finn European Championship
Countries wishing to apply for this Championship are
requested to submit an application for consideration at the 1999 AGM.
d. 2002 Finn Gold Cup
Bearing in mind the decision that bids would not be
considered until two years prior to the Championship, the countries
interested in hosting the 2002 Finn Gold Cup were noted as follows: Brazil
and Turkey.
PR closed the meeting in order for everyone to attend the
Opening Ceremony.
The AGM was reconvened on 17 August. PR welcomed George
Andreadis, ISAF Council member and Chairman of the ISAF Sailing Committee
and thanked him for his support of the Finn. The Executive Committee was
disappointed with the reduced attendance (15 voting representatives).
8. IFA JUNIOR GOLD CUP
PR explained that due to increased participation from
juniors it had been proposed that IFA consider introducing a Finn Junior
World Championship. As ISAF protect the use of the word "world", the IFA
had submitted a request to ISAF to use this word in connection with a
Junior event. The Organisers of the 99 Worlds were keen to host the first
IFA Junior Gold Cup.
The meeting was reminded that in the past a junior
championship had been held separately from the seniors, but this had not
been successful. It was generally agreed that we should avoid having 120
boats on the starting line, but currently this was not a problem and it
was agreed that the juniors could race together with the Gold Cup fleet
(vote: 14 in favour; 1 abstention). The same system as used for the IFA
Europeans will be used, including the entry system.
9. CONTROL OF CLASS RULES
A paper was received from Karlo Kuret, Vice President
Sailing. This was discussed during the Technical Committee report (see
minute 3(f)).
10. SAIL MATERIAL
A letter was received dated 19 June 1998 from the Austrian
Finn Association. This was discussed during the Technical Committee report
(see minute 3(f)).
11. IFA INCORPORATION
The IFA Executive Committee was authorised to incorporate
the International Finn Association once the details have been further
investigated. Reasons for doing so are for legal protection of the class
against organisers, manufacturers, ISAF, etc.
12. IFA RULES
In order to reflect the revised IFA Membership dues and to
keep a reasonable limit on entry fees, it was agreed to amend IFA
Championship Rule 6 to read "The entry fee shall not exceed 7 times the
current IFA fee....." .
13. ISAF NOVEMBER CONFERENCE
a. It was agreed that PR and SK would attend the ISAF
November Meetings on behalf of the IFA.
b. IFA will not be nominating an individual to ISAF
this year for the Beppe Croce Trophy. Members were reminded that the IFA
may make such a recommendation to ISAF each year. (The Beppe Croce Trophy
is presented annually by ISAF to an individual who has made a voluntary
outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing).
14. FORMAT OF THE OLYMPIC
QUALIFYING REGATTAS
The meeting considered the request from ISAF to all Olympic
Classes to "as far as reasonably practical, incorporate the 2000 Olympic
Format in their Qualifying Regattas".
It was agreed that the boats have developed in speed
sufficiently over the last few years to warrant a review of the Gold Cup
format.
It was agreed that the trapezoid course had been developed
to accommodate two fleets and fewer boats and therefore wasn’t necessarily
appropriate for Gold Cup fleets.
The following decisions were taken:
- retain racing in one fleet Vote: unanimous
- 11 races, 2 per day over 6 days Vote: 13 for; 2 against
- races will be as near as possible to 90 minutes in
duration Vote: 13 for; 1 against
- discards if 0-4 races no discard; 5-9 races 1 discard;
10-11 races 2 discards.
- In winds 12 knots or more at the start, the current Gold
Cup course (triangle) will be used. The finish will be upwind.
- in winds less than 12 knots at the start, a
windward/leeward course will be used, with a short reach to the finish. On
the first lap there should be a gate at the bottom mark on the first
lap. Vote: 14 for; 1 against
- to retain the Championship Rules regarding shortening of
course as they are, ie. the race committee is not given the option of
removing legs in light wind. Vote: unanimous
Following a discussion on this decision after the AGM, the
Executive Committee agreed to reopen the AGM on 20th August to obtain
direct input from this year’s Gold Cup sailors and due to the small
attendance at the AGM. 57 sailors attended the second meeting of whom 15
did not want any change to the current Gold Cup format.
It was agreed that the only controversial decision was the
lightwind course and so three course options for less than 12 knots of
wind were considered and voted for:
* windward/leeward with offset mark (at 50m); reach
to finish
(vote: 7 in favour)
* trapezoid course with a true, long reach to the
outer loop; reach to finish
(vote: 46 in favour)
* windward/leeward course with an offset mark (at
150m); reach to finish
(vote: 11 in favour)
It was agreed that this format would be tried at the
Australian Nationals and at the 1999 Finn Gold Cup. A questionnaire would
then be circulated for further discussion at the next AGM.
15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
(a) 1999 AGM
It was unanimously agreed that the next AGM should be held
in Melbourne, on the day before the Practice Race of the 1999 Finn Gold
Cup.
(b) IFA Jig
PR informed the meeting that RH is looking into the costs
of finding a new jig as the current jigs are not as accurate as needed.
Any suggestions would be gratefully received as this will be a big cost to
IFA.
(c) 1999 Finn Regatta Dates
National Finn Association representatives were requested to
advise SK of 1999 Finn Regatta Dates urgently, so that they can be
included in the IFA and ISAF Fixture Lists and, if appropriate, be graded
for the ISAF Finn Rankings.
(d) 1999 Finn Gold Cup
All sailors were advised to contact the 99 Worlds
Organisers urgently to book accommodation for the 1999 Finn Gold Cup. All
the Olympic Classes are holding their world championships at the same time
in Melbourne and therefore there is extra pressure on accommodation
options.
(e) ISAF Plaque Fees
PM informed the meeting that ISAF had increased the cost of
Finn plaques, and therefore IFA was currently making minimal profit on
reselling the plaques and rulebooks to boat builders. It was agreed to
increase the cost of Finn plaques by £5.00 to a total of £55.00.
There being no further business, PR closed the meeting.
Circulation:
National Finn Association Secretaries
IFA Executive Committee
IFA Website
APPENDIX A
1998 IFA AGM Minute 3(f) - Method for Development Decisions
within the Technical Committee.
The process was described as:
* TC listens to sailors’ ideas and considers also
the way ahead for the future;
* TC Chairman receives ideas, proposals and
submissions (via the Executive Director), and gives opinions on legality
if appropriate after consultation with TC members not commercially
involved with the item.
* TC Chairman, after consultation with other members
as far as is practicable and appropriate, prepares and presents
submissions to Council (AGM).
* The outline of TC submissions to Council is
publicised with the Notice of Meeting, although modifications of detail,
and matters such as rule clarifications may be submitted later as the
result of consultations at the AGM Regatta.
* Council makes decisions at AGM.
* TC Chairman submits desired rule alterations to
ISAF in the form prescribed, normally before 1 September.
* An IFA Executive Official (usually the TC
Chairman) appears before the ISAF Centreboard Boat Committee at the
November meeting to promote the submission and agree any rewording
required by the CBC.
Exceptionally, some rule action may be called for more
quickly than is practicable under the above procedure.
* Rules may be interpreted by the TC as prescribed
under Class Rule 1.4.9. If appropriate, an interpretation may be
promulgated as "Case Law".
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