EUROSAF Race Officials Exchange Programme Meeting: 23 represented countries and 127 entered events

EUROSAF Race Officials Exchange Programme Meeting © EUROSAF

The EUROSAF Race Officials Exchange Programme Meeting took place last weekend in Amsterdam.

The Royal Netherlands Watersport Association had invited EUROSAF and all European Race Officials' delegates, and thanks to the professional organization of the conference by Rob Hoogstra and his team, the delegates were able to concentrate fully on the distribution and allocation of the spots for Race Officials at sailing events on the continent for 2023. Representatives from 23 European countries attended the meeting.

More than 220 RO spots in 127 events

All in all, 127 events in 24 member countries were put on the conference table, national championships as well as some of the major events and continental championships. More than 220 places had to be filled up. At the end of the meeting 153 of them were allocated. Most of the remaining spots are expected to be awarded in the next two weeks.

The "exchange sailing season" is about to begin in February, starting in Malta with a youth event for Optimist and ILCA. The 149th and last entered event will end the season on New Year's Eve in Hvar, Croatia.

"It was an anniversary meeting: The European Sailing Federation celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2023, and at the same time the EUROSAF Race Officials Exchange Programme has already existed for 25 years. Once again, delegates from all over Europe were present and negotiated the spots in a constructive meeting. The demand shows how important this programme still is today. We intend to expand the programme further on an ongoing basis", EUROSAF President Josep M. Pla said right after the conference.

Presentations and supporting programme

The Race Officials Meeting was rounded off with a presentation of the Dutch Elearning platform for training and development by Bart van Breemen, and with an interactive session on psychology, led by Milena Lachowicz from Poland. At the end of European Sailing Federation (EUROSAF) 2 the successful weekend, a closing dinner was held at the invitation of the Royal Netherlands Watersport Association at the Royal Netherlands Yacht Club.

The next Race Officials Exchange Programme Meeting will take place on 13 January 2024 in Cyprus, in Limassol.