Throughout the week the world of sailing has gathered in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the 2011 ISAF Annual Conference. After three days of meetings, ISAF Council drew the conference to a close today as they made the final decisions that will affect the sport moving forward. Council voted that in favour of the Equipment Committee doing everything reasonably possible to get a report in sufficient time for ISAF Council’s consideration in May’s Mid-Year meeting, a submission, if appropriate, to select the Olympic Equipment proposed for evaluation. Kiteboarding trials will also be held early next year to evaluate the possible inclusion into the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition and future ISAF events.

ISAF Council agreed to run the new single ISAF Sailing World Rankings for sailors competing in Olympic class events, based on a 12 month period, alongside existing rankings to give time for testing before going live after the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition.

The ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships will head to a new territory in 2015 after ISAF Council voted in favour of Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia, subject to a successful site visit and satisfactory contractual arrangements. Busan, Korea was also approved to host the 2013 ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship subject to a successful site visit and satisfactory contractual arrangements.

Kiteboarding development will continue to move along after Council voted in favour of including the discipline in the ISAF Learn to Sail Training Programme Document and to recognise National Kiteboard Training programmes through the ISAF Recognised Training accreditation inspections.

Council approved the Equipment Committee recommendations to grant ISAF Class status to the RS:One subject to them signing the ISAF Class agreement and satisfactory building specification. The Soto 40 was also granted ISAF Class status.

ISAF Council agreed with all recommendations from the Equipment Committee on submissions about Equipment Rules of Sailing and a large block of amendments to the Racing Rules of Sailing recommended by the Racing Rules Committee. The approved recommendations affecting the current Racing Rules will be published in due course with those affecting the new Racing Rules of Sailing set to be incorporated into the new book which will be finalised by May 2012.

ISAF President Göran Petersson concluded the Council meeting by paying tribute to the host city San Juan and presented the host Member National Authority, Federacion de Vela de Puerto Rico with a crystal decanter as a tribute.

Next year the ISAF Annual Conference heads to Dun Laoghaire, Ireland making it a double header for the venue as it plays host to the 2012 ISAF Youth Worlds from 12-21 July.