ISAF applies the World Sailing paint, where are the jackhammers?

by Rob Kothe & Jedda Murphy, Geneva on 9 Dec 2015 At the Yacht Racing Forum in Geneva today, ISAF Vice President Gary Jobson announced the much expected rebranding to World Sailing

Seen by many as a coat of paint, the governing body of sailing worldwide, formerly known as ISAF, has officially announced its rebrand to 'World Sailing – A Sport for Life'.

The World Sailing press release is as follows..

At the heart of the federation moving forward is a significant focus on change for the better. More transparency, better communication, stronger governance and greater accountability are the four main aims of the new leadership team and the rebrand to World Sailing represents their commitment to those aims.

Sailing is one of the most inclusive sports in the world, regardless of gender, age or ability of a sailor, there is a boat for anyone and everyone to train and race in. It's not unusual to see men and women racing alongside and against each other, grandparents sharing a boat with their grandchildren, or able-bodied and disabled sailors going head-to-head – all can compete on equal terms and this is what makes the sport unique.

Not only will the federation have a refreshed look and focus, the new motto – 'A Sport for Life' - also reinforces the team's dedication to the whole world of sailing, from an individual's first step in a boat to the day they choose to hang up their salopettes.

Malcolm Page, Chief Marketing Officer of World Sailing, said, 'We are really looking forward to a new era of sailing governance and myself and the team are determined to make World Sailing the best that it can be.

'It feels natural to develop our brand as the organisation evolves. The new identity satisfies all of the existing positive expectations of what our previous mark stood for, whilst moving the brand forward to acknowledge the maturity, functionality and diversity of sailing.

'We have great history and tradition and of this we are justifiably proud. However, in some areas, we were stuck in the past. Only by thinking and acting together, acting now, sharing one clear powerful message, can we move beyond this, remain relevant and grow as a sport.”

'The future of the World Sailing will see a united sport from juniors venturing onto the water for the first time to champions competing at the Olympic Games or in the Vendée Globe. Greater value will be provided to Member National Authorities, Class Associations and Continental Federations, alongside initiative developed to grow and broaden participation in sailing.'

Hmmm, so we have the coat of paint, now lets see if the overall renovations are actually in train.

Certainly, the observation of Sail-World after extensive discussions with Jobson in Geneva is that there is now recognition at Executive level of the need for some significant changes within the World Sailing organisation.

The departure of CEO Peter Sowrey after less than six months in the job, indicates the ISAF Executive did not cover itself with decision making glory, it only took Sail-World five minutes to discover the new CEO had no interest in politics and would therefore struggle in Southampton and if we could see that so quickly, we wonder why the ISAF top group could not.

Calling a spade a spade, Carlo Croce and his seven fellow World Sailing executives need to do much better.

Lots more to be done by World Sailing's leaders, they need more than paintbrushes, ladders and drop sheets, we look forward to hearing the sound of jackhammers soon.