Daily review - 8 November - 2017 Annual Conference

Throughout the week, World Sailing are reporting live from the meeting rooms on the hot topics of debate and discussion via the Annual Conference blog. Click here - www.sailing.org/media/2017-annual-conference-blog.php - to view the blog.

To get involved with the discussion head to World Sailing's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use #UnitingOurSport.

Equipment Committee

Today in the Equipment Committee meeting, Chair Dina Kowalyshyn gave a verbal report on an incident involving Bora Gulari in the Nacra 17. Gulari sustained an injury during a training incident with teammate Helena Scutt as they were preparing for the Nacra 17 World Championship in La Grand Motte, France.

Kowalyshyn was tasked with investigating the incident and explained that the investigation working party believes that Gulari cut his fingers on the traveller line which was wrapped around his fingers and not the foils as immediate reports suggested.

The report will be published following the conclusion of the Annual Conference.

World Sailing are taking positive steps to protect the sailors and reduce the risks. Earlier on in the week the Classes Committee received a presentation on the creation of a safety framework and the Equipment Committee continued the dialogue. The safety framework includes the creation of a Safety Panel and an incident reporting web portal.

Member National Authorities and sailors will be encouraged to report all incidents. From there, the Safety Panel will investigate each reported incident. Depending on the seriousness of the incident, they will make a decision on the next steps and whether to investigate further.

The end goal is to reduce the incidents in the sport and increase awareness of best practice. The next step is for Committees to make their recommendations by mid-January to refine the framework.

The Committee also received World Sailing Class Applications from five classes. The GC32, Club Swan 50 and Techno 293 Plus have all been recommended to World Sailing's Council to receive the status. The Nacra 15 and Diam 24 was rejected.

Uniting the sport

The theme of the 2017 Annual Conference is #UnitingOurSport. The Development and Regions Committee embody this theme and engaged in proactive discussions to ensure the sport caters for the elite and emerging nations.

"We help drive the future champions of the sport from a young age. Coming from countries who don't necessary have the opportunities and facilities, making it equal for all," explained Regional Development Coordinator Manager, Rob Holden, during a passionate presentation.

The Committee spoke about globally uniting sailing and providing an equal playing field. One of the way World Sailing has been doing this is through the Emerging Nations Programme. In 2017 clinics were held in Singapore, South Africa, Vanuatu, Poland and the Dominican Republic.

For 2018, the Emerging Nations Programme will be implementing a way to track progress of sailors following their attendance in the ENP as well as continuing the progression

Racing of Sailing

The Racing Rules Committee received a large number of submissions in advance of the Annual Conference. The discussion centred around amendments to the Racing Rules of Sailing as well as Case Books and Call Book.

The next edition of the Racing Rules is the 2021 - 2024 edition and the Committee are constantly reviewing and discussing the rules to improve them for the sailors who race under them.

Thursday 9 November

The Oceanic and Offshore Committee and Events Committee will meet on Thursday 9 November. World Sailing's Council, the final decision making body of World Sailing, will meet on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 November ahead of the Annual General Meeting on the Sunday.