ISAF Welcomes Madagascar as a new member national authority

by ISAF on 21 Jan 2011 Madagascar sits 250 miles off the east coast of Mozambique in the Indian Ocean and with 7,600 km of coastline it is the fourth largest island in the world.With its calm turquoise waters and idyllic surroundings the island is a haven for sailing.

Now, the Madagascan Yachting and Rowing Club has become the newest member of the International Sailing Federation.

Formed by President Brice Jacobsen in 2007 the MYRC has gone from strength to strength and becoming the latest MNA will no doubt boost the nation.

'I went to Zanzibar in east Africa to study when I was younger and at High School I learnt to sail,' said Brice. 'I competed in many sailing competitions whilst I was over there and when I came back to Madagascar I saw that there were lots of opportunities for people to sail.

'So I formed the MYRC and from there I formed more clubs with seven other leaders in the country and that helped me to promote the sport.'

The traditional boat found in Madagascar is known as a Lakambezo which Brice describes as a, 'Malagasy sort of catamaran.' Windsurfing is also very popular in the country.

Brice has been able to gather support from the Madagascan government and they are supporting his cause, 'We've had room from the government to create more clubs and with their support we have been able to become a member.

'I am so proud because we can now access the development and training that ISAF provides and that can only be a good thing. We are also hoping for visits from sailing experts who can help us promote the sport and uplift the people of Madagascar.'

And it doesn't stop there with Brice looking to target the youth of Madagascar, 'We hope to be able to reach out to lots of young people and it certainly helps that we have 7,600km of shore.

'We are planning the process of bringing boys and girls to workshops to explain the meaning of sailing as well as the advantages it allows each individual. I feel we have to start setting up training schools and training schemes within the next few years.And with good technical support we can work with schools to train our young sailors and get the people of Madagascar sailing.'

And Brice added, 'We would also like to bring more technical boats to the country to promote the sport even further.'

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