Paul Henderson - Pace and Process of 2020 Olympic event choice queried

by Sail-World.com on 19 Oct 2016 One of the nominees for the Presidency of World Sailing, which falls vacant this November, Paul Henderson (CAN) along with others have expressed their concerns with the way in which the Olympic Sailing event selection is being handled by World Sailing, formerly the International Sailing Federation.

The matter will be considered at several levels at the World Sailing Annual Conference in Barcelona, Spain with the expectation that the final decision will be deferred for later meetings.

The concerns are summarised in a submission by the host Member National Authority (MNA), the Japan Sailing Federation which essentially says that it had been agreed in 2013 that changes to the Olympic classes would be signalled seven years in advance to ensure a more orderly transition and reduction of financial expense to sailors for upgrading equipment or shifting to a new class. Now World Sailing is proposing to give only three years notice of changes.

'The policy of WS regarding Events and Equipment is unpredictable at this moment and causing great concerns for athletes and MNAs,' says the japan Sailing Federation.

Paul Henderson sets out his position:

A major issue in Barcelona will be discussions on the future of Olympic Sailing Events for TOKYO2020..

The major thrust of the now Board of Directors is to insert Kite-Surfing into the Olympics from concept to Olympic equipment..

They have orchestrated this in haste and will continue to push this agenda forward with another AGM in February to finish their plan.

This will be the fourth AGM in just over a year which eliminates the involvement of the less affluent MNA's who have trouble attending even 1 AGM a year.

Executive Plan:

It is their plan to make Kite-Surfing, or the latest undeveloped discipline Kite-Foiling, Olympic just 3 years before TOKYO2020.

The CEO and Executive Staff conducted a questionable E-Mail vote to change the World Sailing regulation that Kite-Surfing would only be put forward if Olympic Sailing could get 2 additional events which was the commitment when ISAF made them a Sailing discipline.

Kite-Surfing has now been placed in line so as to replace two of the 10 RIO2016 Events for TOKYO2020.

This action negated the now Executive's promise, four years ago, that there would be stability in the events for TOKYO2020.

Questions that All MNA's, Int. Classes and Sailors must ask BEFORE VOTING:

Which two events will be eliminated to insert Kite-Surfing into the Games?

What is the Kite Surfing equipment that is proposed and is it widely available from several builders?

What is the availability of this equipment which must be obtained with only 3 years left to the TOKYO2020
Games?

What is the commercial structure of the Kite-Surfing Class proposed that meets the World Sailing Regulation 10?

Options which should be decided before Voting on Kite-Surfing: (one of these must be done to accommodate Kite-Surfing)
1) Since Kite-Surfing is a new innovation should it replace Windsurfing Men and Women?
2) Delete the Finn and make 470 Mixed freeing up two slots.
3) Make the 49er and 470 both mixed freeing up two slots deleting 49er:FX and one 470 class.
4) Delete both the 49er and 49er:FX.
5) Delete the Finn and NACRA 17
6) Delete the Laser and Laser Radial.

Henderson Position:

I will continue to promote that the commitment that the now Elected Officials promised 4 years ago which was that there be stability for TOKYO2020 meaning there will be NO changes to the equipment used in RIO2016 be respected.

I will do everything I can to return the 11th Event and also to return Sailing to the Paralympics.

I also believe that Kite-Surfing and its various disciplines should be their own International Federation and not ride on World Sailing to try and become Olympic but stand on their own merits or become a discipline of the new Olympic Sport 'Surfing'.

I will champion the above whether elected or not.

regards,

Paul Henderson
A Sailor, Nominee World Sailing Presidency