Minutes of the Annual General meeting held at Largs (Scotland) August 5th 2002

Present:

Voting - Delegate or committee member

• Ceri Williams (chairman) 1 vote
• Marc Cardon (vice chairman) and FRA 2 votes
• Didier Flamme(committee) 1 vote
• Marc Van Rijsselberghe(comm. /and NED) 2 votes
• Guy Chilvers BIC / committee 1 vote
• Ezio Ferin (comm.. / and ITA) 2 votes
• Dave Sibley (committee) 1 vote
• John Ellis (GBR) 1 vote

Non-Voting Observer

• Mike Dempsey (ISAF W.C.) past chairman
• Helen Cartwright (GBR National Coach)
• Elliot Carney (competitor)
• D. Mithchell (competitor)
• Yan Bou(spelling?) French Coach
• Terry Mitchell
• Dave Bromley
• Jilly Bromley (competitor)
• Marc Carney

Apologies - Isy Hutchison

Minutes of 2001 AGM, Ostia

Approved.

Matters Arising

None

Chairmans Report

Nothing to report, as all relevant items would appear later in the meeting.

Financial statement

All relevant information for 2001 was contained in the accounts presented to the IWA AGM on Sat 3rd Aug.

There next followed a debate about "the future of the Aloha class", which incorporated items 5) class rule changes; 6) venues future championships; and 7) Titles.

Future of the Alohaclass

The chairman highlighted the current status of the class as a shrinking "European" based class; with a further 2 countries no longer participating in the championships (ISR and ESP), and a team from HKG missing this year. It also looked increasingly likely that further pressure would come from MJOD to all countries, in particular ITA and NED.

Furthermore numbers competing at the JUNIOR, YOUTH and MASTERS (in its current format) were affected by having FW and "raceboard" categories at the same event as many were the same competitors, denied the opportunity of competing in more than one discipline. Both FW and Aloha were suffering as a consequence. However, the Aloha is the accepted ISAF junior racing format, is still the cheapest option available, and the preferred equipment of many national authorities.

An outline proposal was made concerning future status, titles, event format and venues. (A copy of the original proposal is available on request.)
The JUNIOR, YOUTH and MASTERS (JYM) event concept should continue, but with 2 separate events;
One-following the longboard (centerboard) route;
Two-following a shortboard only route.

JYM - Longboard: would see a collaboration between Aloha (u 15) MJOD (u 17) IMCO (u 20) and Raceboard (Masters)
At world title level the Aloha Class would be the ONLY "world" title for under 15 (2 titles: Boy and girl)
The MJOD class would be the only "world" title for under 17 (2 titles: Boy and Girl)
The IMCO class would be the only "world" title for under 20 (2 titles: Boy and Girl)
RACEBOARD class would have the only "world" titles for Masters.
A clearly defined route, on the most appropriate equipment, without conflict or overlap between classes.

Other benefits - the Aloha class (as the established junior class) can address the issues surrounding the development of junior "short board " racers - hopefully (and with the agreement of fw classes) following a similar development route, at its own JYM Championships (proposal to be put to an open meeting of fw youth, junior and espoir sailors later in the week).

This proposal has already been discussed with MJOD ,and the chairman received assurances that the proposal would be accepted.

It would mean that the 2003 worlds would be in Mexico (Nov.) and a 2003 Europeans in Poland (late July). The proposal therefore would be for a "fw" JYM in 2003 in Portugal (August), which the chairman also considered more suitable funboard type venue, for which the organisers were experienced operators.

Marc(NED) - the class needed to adapt to the recent developments within the sport, FW needed a separate clearly defined route, it was the only sure way to guarantee NA support, and both pathways would benefit.

Helen (GBR-RYA coach) - keeping sailors options open was a good thing, Aloha was still the most suitable equipment available for U15.

Marc Carney - expressed doubts about the effectiveness of splitting the existing format.

Ezio (ITA) - there was no option but to accept changes to secure a good futurefor junior racing. Where you live may also determine your favoured route (longboard still most suitable for inland/lakes)

Dave (GBR) only a strict one design format for both pathways could succeed.

Guy (BIC) - critical would be the continued availability of the chosen O/D equipment, Guy to seek assurances from HQ.

Marc Cardon (FRA) Difficult problems, particularly for France, with big commitment to Aloha, not keen to lose u 17 title. Would the ISAF approve such rule changes? What assurances are there that IMCO/MJOD would not seek world titles for u 15 ?

Proposal To Change Class Rules

(From Marc Van Rijsselberghe; seconded Ezioi Ferin.)

The proposal is to change the class equipment rules and championship rules to accommodate the following programme and titles:

1. Junior Aloha male U15
2. Junior Aloha female U15
3. Junior Techno (283) U15
4. Junior Techno Formula U17

Reasons: To develop a clear path for young racers on boards with centerboards alongside a clear path to develop young racers on boards without c/b's.
In many cases the same racers wish to take part in both disciplines.To allow this it is proposed to hold two separate championships: one for Aloha (c/b board) and one for shortboards (no c/b) - TECHNO.
This proposal has the full backing of BIC Sport,who intends to maintain production of both Tiga Aloha, techno 283 and techno formula.
This gives a clear way forward to national authorities, national associations, parents and junior racers.

IN FAVOUR: 8 votes, ABSTAIN: 3 votes, AGAINST: none (0)
The abstaining votes were French - Marc Cardon and Didier Flamme.

It was further decided that a working group should meet to discuss sail limitations (DF; M van R;DS; GC) The TIMETABLE for submission of class rule changes to ISAF is Sept 1st.
Chairman to prepare draft of class rules to be circulated to committee for approval before submitting to ISAF. Further clarification would be needed from BIC with regard to charter equipment for Mexico, plus an agreement between the class and manufacturer, modeled on the IMCO arrangement with B. and M.

8) Committee elections

No elections required under the constitution accepted in 2001. No committee members standing down.

9) Any Other Business

Many other items significant for the future development of the sport, mainly IWA initiatives were under discussion between IWA committee members, including revision of IWA and class constitution (a unified document); standard NOR, SI's, Event agreements and event Manual.
An appointment of IWA General Manager was imminent.
A presentation "What is IWA" to be published.
A joint proposal (IWA/all classes) "Olympic windsurfing equipment - 2008 and beyond", now published.

Meeting closed.