Multihull Sailors United Worldwide

by The Australian Multihull Council Press Release on 24 Jan 2008 The momentum to reverse the ISAF decision to drop a multihull from the 2012 Olympics continues unabated with the marshalling of worldwide multihull resources.

The formation of the Australian Multihull Council and reciprocal groups in other countries of concerned sailors, manufacturers and sailing associations has led to the formation of the International Multihull Council.

The International Multihull Council’s objective is to promote multihull sailing and racing said the United Kingdoms Nick Dewhirst. The Association will agree matters of common interest, present the views of the membership to third parties, provide delegates on national and international bodies, and arrange sponsorship and lobby for changes in the interests of the membership. The Association intends to complement the activities of clubs, classes, national and international sailing authorities, where they are of specific relevance to multihulls and the sport of sailing.'

The International Multihull Council has attracted the interest and support of prominent sailors and administrators from around the world including Paul Pascoe, David Brookes, John Williams, Don Findlay, Rod Waterhouse, Edwin Lodder along with Nick Dewhirst.

The International Multihull Council’s objective is consistent with the Australian Multihull Councils aims to ensure: a multihull presence at future Olympics and ISAF Youth Worlds; a strong and united multihull sailing presence; and the development of youth sailing.

The formation of the International Multihull Council comes hot on the heals of Yachting New Zealand’s recent resolution to request ISAF to revisit the Events slate for the 2012 Olympic games in May 2008.

The Australian Multihull Council wrote to Yachting New Zealand on the 21st December last year offering support and appealing to the New Zealand sense of fair play. In response the CEO of Yachting New Zealand, Des Brennan, has confirmed that Yachting New Zealand is reviewing matters and will always seek change that is evidence based and consistent with its goals.

This is an encouraging turn of events says Rod Waterhouse when its understood that two of Yachting New Zealand’s goals are “to grow participation and retention in sailing while enhancing its development at all levels” and to “lift the visibility and funding potential of yachting”.

Until ISAF reverses its decision however it remains the view of the Australian and International Multihull Councils that the ISAF decision threatens the very future of sailing at all levels from elite to youth. ISAF and its voting members should look to enhancing the appeal of sailing at the Olympics and importantly to the real future of sailing, our youth.

Our youth are drawn to exciting forms of sailing and aspire to compete at the Olympics. Without a multihull or indeed sailing in the Olympics we will lose their interest not to mention the development funds that come to Olympic sports and which are used to develop our youth.

The Australian Multihull Council has already commenced working with youth sailors in Fiji, New Caledonia and New Zealand arranging for youth representatives from Fiji and New Zealand to sail at the Australian Hobie National titles. Fiji is building an impressive youth capability with 20 youngsters now competing at home and some overseas. We have arranged for three Australian youth teams to travel and compete in New Caledonia over April and May this year. This type of training and experience can only come from a strong network of like-minded sailors and associations. This and other similar initiatives can only build on the strong resurgence of sailing in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Until ISAF reverses its decision to drop a multihull from the 2012 Olympics the International Multihull Council and other national councils including the Australian Multihull Council will be relentless in its drive to achieve a fair and equitable outcome for all sailors. We urge all sailors, manufacturers and sailing associations to continue to support the international move to reinstate a multihull at the Olympics beyond 2012