Please select your home edition
Edition
Excess Catamarans

Sailing must make a stand

by Mark Jardine 28 Feb 2022 22:12 AEDT
Support Ukraine © with permission

They say sport and politics should not mix, but the way the landscape has changed over the past week means we simply cannot ignore the horrific situation in Ukraine.

The question is, how should sailing respond? We are all united in supporting the Ukrainian people in their hour of need, but how can we assist them best? Personally, we can make donations to organisations like Unicef and the Red Cross, but what else can we do? What else can sailing do?

The reality is, many of the world's largest superyachts are Russian owned, as were the first two monohulls to finish the RORC Caribbean 600 last week: Skorpios and Comanche. Should World Sailing and organisations such as the RORC ban Russian-owned boats from competing? Other sports are making a stand, such as Formula One cancelling the Russian Grand Prix, but would banning Russians from sailing make a difference?

This war is Putin's war. As we've seen, many Russians are against the invasion of Ukraine and, despite the near certainty of being arrested, they have protested in large numbers. The aggressor is Putin, not the Russian people, which is what makes the decision-makers choices so difficult.

But the message needs to be sent strongly and clearly across the board that Russia invading Ukraine is so far beyond what is acceptable that sailing needs to make a stand. Sailing's governing bodies and event organisers need to collectively work together to present a united front and decide what sanctions can be taken, in however small a way, to deter Putin from the path he has taken. I certainly don't envy their role, but hope that they have the resolve to do what needs to be done.

Related Articles

The oldest video footage of Moth sailing
A look back into our video archive, to when the name of this class first settled down We delve into our video archive to find the oldest possible videos that show Moth racing. Are these International Moths, British Moths... or was the name still Olive, Inverloch 11ft, National Moth or Brent One-Design?! Posted today at 11:00 am
The power of tech
What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? Posted on 2 Jul
Some thoughts on provisioning for distance sailing
A new perspective on provisioning and time spent at sea One of the great joys of distance racing unfurls the moment that the dock lines are untied. Suddenly, the myriad packing lists that inevitably define most trip-planning efforts become about as relevant as a tax return from eight years ago. Posted on 1 Jul
Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina. Posted on 1 Jul
A brief history of marine instrument networks
Hugh Agnew has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge One man who has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge, is Hugh Agnew, the Cambridge-educated mathematician who is one of the founders of A+T Instruments in Lymington, so I spoke to him to find out more... Posted on 25 Jun
Sailing and the summer solstice
Celebrating sailing and the longest day of the year If you love long evenings and early mornings, this is one of the best times of the whole year, as the summer solstice (Friday, June 20) and the entire rich expanse of summer are about to burst into bloom. Posted on 17 Jun
Video Review: The Amazing Cure 55
Composite Construction meets Cruising Convenience It was two years ago at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show that I talked to Dave Biggar about his ideas and plans for the Cure 55. At the 2025 show I got to step on board the yacht and see how his ideas became reality. Posted on 17 Jun
The Big Bash
Every summer the tournament rolls into town. A short format of the game. Fun and excitement abound. Every summer the tournament rolls into town. Local and international players. A short format of the game, run over a relatively compact six-week season. Posted on 15 Jun
The oldest video footage of Kiel Week
A look back into our video archive at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s In our series of articles looking back in time through our video archive, we visit Germany. Kiel Week is been a crucial event on the world circuit, and here we look back at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s. Posted on 15 Jun
Nick Olson on PredictWind's newest features
Nick Olson discusses PredictWind's newest features PredictWind has long been a leader in presenting high-quality marine forecasts. Nick Olson discusses the company's newest features. Posted on 12 Jun
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERV-DRY-XsMRT AIS Man Overboard Beacons AUS / NZ