from the US, UK, Ireland, France and other countries that would have a perspective on how the new universal Classification Code would be applied in their cultures, and how to devise relevant interpreta- tions when applicants were not clearly Group 1 or Group 3 (which was, in fact, the clever definition of Group 2 at the time). Matusch used the amateur rules of golf as a model for the new code and adopted its principles of self-declaration to handle the load of thousands of applicants, 90 per cent of whom were obvious Group 1s and therefore could be certified as such in a fast and auto- mated manner, while others would be put under review. ISAF also made a considerable investment in the web-based system currently in use, which to date has made nearly 100,000 classifications of sailors during the past decade. And while the code itself has been tweaked, the IT system and its extensive database have remained an important feature of the system where applicants can receive their classifications at no charge.
In a recent position paper researched and written by executive committee member Chris Atkins, the system has been criticised for being inconsistent, damaging the reputation of ISAF, and expensive… but these assertions were all based on refutable flawed assumptions. Yet the users of the system, the classes and events, were never consulted by the executive and have never advocated dissolution to ISAF. None has asked for the considerable burden of managing this system themselves, yet this is the suggestion made by the executive submission. This is truly rather amazing, and one smells a political rat in this issue. It’s well known that the current ISAF president from Italy – where coincidently there have been the most problems of applicant cheating – is not a fan of the system. A rating system is in place in Italy that objectively tracks the numbers of days raced based on crew lists filed with the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV), and this is used to place restrictions on certain events. But this relies on the identities of sailors through their required FIV sailing licences – not something common to all cultures, and even within Italy not all classes and events report this data. To say that the executive is out of touch with both the concept and reality of how dozens of classes and events and thousands
of Corinthian sailors enjoy this sport is an understatement at best, worthy of burning condemnation at worst… this is, after all, the same body that has taken some ‘unusual’ decisions when it comes to Olympic sailing!
However, executive committee member Gary Jobson, while not publicly supporting or condemning the proposal, does admit there may be a tactical advantage in bringing the submission to the table for discussion, because it then forces the executive to formally settle the matter and move on to other things.
Farr 40 class manager Geoff Stagg has been vocal in his shock at the executive’s position, and has been unwavering in his support for the system, calling it a ‘cornerstone to our classes which have produced over 500 boats. I am frankly astonished that ISAF is now considering a submission to delete it after all these years. Yes, I have heard all the bleating from our Italian friends and a number of the borderline pros, but we cannot have a small minor- ity wrecking it for the majority. Frankly, trying to administrate and base the system solely on days sailed is not realistic and leaves the door open for all sorts of manipulation.
‘I am not going to say too much on the matter other than that this would be a very bad move for our sport. It is unreasonable to expect individual classes to be responsible and chaos would result. To eliminate the system because it is imperfect is wrong. Nothing in life is perfect. Sure, the code could do with tweaking, but to throw it away is not the right move.’
Besides Stagg, the commission is currently scrambling to gather support from other prominent users to fight the submis- sion, and this has been expressed from a wide and diverse group of race organisers around the world, including the RORC (Com- modores’ Cup), US Sailing (some of its championship events), ORC (Corinthian trophies at all of its major events), CCA (Newport- Bermuda Race), New York YC (its Invitational Cup), Cork Week, and one-design classes ranging from Dragons to Swan 60s. Come November at the AGM this will be an interesting test to see how well ISAF can listen… Dobbs Davis
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