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Announcements
While the big news at the recent ISAF meeting in China was the re-affirmation of the events for the 2012 Olympic Games, there were several other issues of interest to the Star Class.
ISAF is moving ahead with plans to implement an "ISAF World Cup" series, for all Olympic Classes, beginning in 2009. Included in the series would be current ISAF grade one events (changing over time), and possibly Class World Championships. An accumulative score would be kept, and a World Cup winner crowned. There is discussion about having a World Cup Grand Final event, but nothing firm as of yet. I personally believe a World Cup Final is critical to the success of this concept.
Whether or not Class World Championships would be included in the ISAF World Cup series is also under discussion. The qualification process for the various ISAF events (non Star Class events) and the specific scoring system to be used has not been decided. The ISAF World rankings would likely be based on ISAF World Cup series results.
All other Star Class events, including Continental Championships, would not be included in the ISAF World Cup series and would continue to be run solely by the Class.
In a related initiative, ISAF is considering having an additional ISAF Olympic Classes World Championship during each Olympic quadrenniel. This proposal would mean that 2 of our World's every 4 years would be multi-class ISAF events. The Star Class and all other Olympic classes have supported the concept of multi-class World Championships, but strongly wish to retain control and organizing authority of additional events. More information will be available after the ISAF Annual Conference in November.
From my perspective, I think a World Cup series would be good for the Star Class, in that the professionals could compete in a "pro circuit," and the weekend sailors could continue to have our excellent Star Class events, sailed under our rules. Each group would of course be welcome to compete in both the ISAF World Cup series and traditional Class events. The issues regarding our World Championships are under discussion, and will have to be worked out, as indicated above. I believe a compromise can be reached to satisfy both ISAF and the Star Class.
Bill Allen
ISCYRA President
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