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OPEN LETTER TO MR GORAN PETERSSON
Goran Petersson, President,
International Sailing Federation
Ariadne House
Town Quay
Southampton
Hampshire
SO14 2AQ
20th July 2008
Dear Mr. Petersson
We write to you on behalf of the 6000+ sailors worldwide who signed our petition to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that multihulls continue competing in the Games as no sailing boat better meets the Olympic ideal of speed than the multihull.
We write also at the suggestion of the IOC, who want the Sailing Regatta to be as exciting as possible and publish this as an Open Letter because you have previously responded to our earlier research and suggestions only through the media.
You will be aware that the original decision-making process in November last year was widely criticised both in Council and among the sailing community. Despite your personal recommendation that the decision be reaffirmed in May, your Councillors instead voted to review it.
When given a direct choice over which discipline they preferred to retain, a majority then voted for Open Multihull rather than Keelboat Fleet Racing for Men Only. However because of a constitutional technicality requiring a two-thirds majority for this appeal process, ISAF now faces the unsatisfactory situation that a democratic decision cannot be put into effect.
Therefore we now ask you to do something at the Annual Meeting in November this year which would enhance ISAF’s reputation for inclusiveness, sportsmanship and the Olympic spirit. As permitted in Regulation 1.1, please take the lead as President by placing the following two submissions on the agenda.
Submission 1
That Regulation 16.1.5 (a) (iv) be replaced as follows: “must include separate Men and Women Events for each of the five disciplines (1 Person Dinghy, 2 Person Dinghy, Multihull, Keelboat, Windsurfer).” (See Footnote 1)
Submission 2
That ISAF formally request IOC to include an 11th Event for the Sailing Regatta in the agenda for the next meeting of the IOC. (See Footnote 2)
Whether they succeed or fail, if you take these two initiatives publicly and formally, you will have done much to restore the confidence of the multihull community that ISAF has an Olympic strategy, that this strategy includes all key disciplines, that it follows IOC recommendations and that you have done all you can to bridge a temporary gap, caused by the IOC-mandated reduction in events.
You will also establish a legacy of ending the unseemly four yearly round of political infighting at the only time possible – when memories are fresh and consequences are far off.
Given your public declaration of support for one side in that debate, we very much hope that you now find it appropriate to demonstrate impartiality and give the other side what compensation you can.
Nick Dewhirst
Chairman
United Kingdom Catamaran Racing Association
Footnotes
1. Reasons for Submission 1
• This would bring sailing into line with the convention among a majority of other Olympic sports for equal numbers of events for both genders in all their major disciplines. It would place differing athletic skills ahead of equipment considerations, so better meet IOC objectives and also provide a clear strategy to the choice of Events.
• It would also ensure that the Sailing Regatta presents the wide range and diversity of sailing, within the practical constraints of the Olympic Regatta.
• Should circumstances change, then this Regulation will need to be altered, but that is desirable because it will ensure that ISAF makes any change of strategy conscious and deliberate.
2. Reasons for Submission 2
• Inclusiveness: Multihull sailing is one of the five core sailing disciplines with global representation in both developed countries and emerging markets. It would otherwise be unrepresented at the Games.
• Excitement: Multihulls are the most media-friendly sailing boats because they are the fastest craft in the regatta, highly athletic and exceptionally suited to be camera platforms.
