Following the meeting of its Executive Board on 10-12th December, the IOC released a number of press statements on various subjects but none on the issue of allocating Events. Our contact with the IOC Press Office also confirmed that no statement was made at the press conference and that unless any special action is taken, there will be no comment on any negotiations with any of the various sports. Unlike ISAF, the IOC agendas are not public documents, so it is not possible even to confirm if our petition was discussed.
However IOC has confirmed that the final announcement of Events for all sports in the 2012 Games will be made at its 15-16th June meeting. As the ISAF Mid-Year meeting takes place in May without knowing the outcome, this means that Council will have to make contingency plans. As Petersson said "In case of a subsequent positive decision by the IOC, we may have to make a decision on both an 11th event and class in the Mid-Year Meetings in May next year in order to be able to give our sailors as much time as possible to prepare – the Annual Conference in November, in my opinion, will be too late. What are the chances for an 11th medal? It is very difficult to judge but I would say we have given it our best."
Fortunately he will have another chance to promote our cause at the IOC Executive Board's 22nd-27th March meeting, because that is when ISAF is due for its regular IOC review. When he does, he will have valuable new ammunition because sailing has gone up in estimation within the IOC. It was recently awarded "best TV coverage of the Games" which is amazing. And it was number 3 watched sport in the UK. The spectacular Tornado medal race will undoubtedly have contributed to that. So all this gives sailing some more weight at the negotiation table to retain the 11th medal.
The rumours are encouraging, but they are of course just rumours, so we will have to continue to be patient and wish Goran Peterrson good luck in arguing our case next year. Meanwhile we now have the independent International Multihull Council http://www.multihullcouncil.org and a Multihull Commission at ISAF to lobby at the May meeting for the contingency plan to be a multihull Event and for some form of international racing circuit to represent the pinnacle of our sport - irrespective of the 11th Medal decision.
On other matters, it was too short notice to include a multihull event in Melbourne, but discussions are continuing about World Cup regattas elsewhere, and the International Dart Association has asked for a correction to our last email, namely that Brian Phipps (GBR) also represents youth development, rather than Darts, on the Multihull Commission.
Best wishes for successful sailing in 2009 and thank you again for your support. We will keep you informed.
Nick Dewhirst
Chairman,
United Kingdon Catamaran Racing Association