MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD DURING THE FD EUROPEAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2000
COMPETITORS' HEARING
NATIONAL SECRETARIES' MEETING
COMPETITORS' HEARING HELD ON TUESDAY, 27th JUNE 2000 AT RIO MARINA, ELBA, ITALY.
Present 50+ competitors from Australia, Austria, Dennmark, Spain, France, UK, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Holland, New Zealand, Poland, Slovenia, USA. 7 members of the General Committeeee (AB / SP / CJ/ AS / BS / PH / AT)
The meeting started at 19.15. The new President, Alberto Barenghi, welcomed the competitors and asked Stephen Parry, VP Championships, to chair the meeting.
The Chairman asked the competitors if there were any issues they wished to discuss.
Fixtures: A proposal was made that a European series of say 5 regattas, 4 to count, each regatta in a different country should be held to encourage more international sailing. It was not clear how this could be arranged in coordination with national fixture lists. After some discussion the Chairman proposed that the matter should be deferred to the National Secretaries' Meeting and they should be asked to co-ordinate and suggest a forrnat.
Measurement: A discussion followed concerning Measurement and it was suggested that Measurement could be curtailed at championships. Various possibilities were raised with many contributions from the floor. Finally, a show of hands indicated a large majority wish to leave things as they are but it was agreed that a discipline for the presentation of boats for Measurement would be helpful and this should be laid down in the Notice of Race in future.
No other matters were raised.
Championships 2000 WC South Africa, 13 to 24 November 2000: It was noted that there has been some confusion over the dates but the VP Championships confirmed as above. Formal proposals have been received for 2001 From Denmark, Poland and Greece 2002 From Portugal
Mr Chris Humlebaek of the Gileleje Tourist Board, Denmark was welcomed and invited to give a presentation. He handed round some literature for the competitors consideration, showed some slides and talked about sailing conditions and facilities. A date in June has been proposed and it was noted that this should be coordinated with Kiel Week in the 3rd week of June, Gileleje being no more than 4 - 5 hours driving from Kiel and accessible entirely by road. Whether before or after Kiel Week was not resolved. No-one was available to make a presentation for the Greek proposal but the GC said they would discuss all proposals and make a decision at the annual meeting on Sunday, 2nd July. 2003 should be outside Europe, SanDiego/USA and Melboume/Australia were possibilities but no written proposal has been received yet. Finances The new Class Treasurer, Adriaan Schmal made a brief statement of the Class finances. Other business A 4 minute video of 1994 combined 505 /Fireball Championships at Durban, South Africa was shown.
The meeting closed at 20.25 hrs.
Ann Truett, General Secretary IFDCO, 27/07/00
NATIONAL SECRETARIES' MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 28TH JUNE 2000 AT RIO MARINA, ELBA, ITALY.
Present National Secretaries (or their representatives) from Australia, Austria, Denrunark, Spain, France, UK, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Holland, New Zealand, Poland, Slovenia, USA. 7 members of the General Committee (AB / CJ / AS / BS / PH / AT) and Past President Ian McCrossin The meeting started at 19.30.
The new President, Alberto Barenghi, welcomed the competitors to a combined meeting and supper. The General Secretary said the GC wished to show their appreciation of the work done by the National Secretaries. The purpose of the meeting was to give the NS's the opportunity to raise any matters with the GC and to get their input on proposals for Championship venues and other matters. The General Secretary said that the GC would try to communicate with the NS's on a more regular basis, primarily by email but also by FAX or mail where email is not available and introduced John Berry who had kindly agreed assist the GC by doing this with information which would be supplied to him by the GC.
Championships.
There was generally good support for the proposal from Denmark. It was noted that a date
in June is under discussion, co-ordinated with Kiel Week (3rd week June) either before or
after. The Spanish NS asked the GC to consider that it is difficult for the Spanish to
take holidays in June. The GC indicated the many, often conflicting, criteria that have to
be taken into account in fixing championship dates.
The Polish NS handed the GC an invitation to hold a WC at PUCK, near Dansk. This has been discussed previously in principle. The history of the Polish WC proposal was clarified. It was noted that further information about travel, entry fees, accommodation etc. is needed by the General Committee before a decision is made.
The USA NS said a proposal is being prepared for San Diego for 2003, April/ May. It was noted that the EC in that year should be in late summer, say early September.
National Reports
Italy: 60 members. 15 - 25 regularly racing. 29 at Championship. Trying to co-ordinate
fixtures with other European countries and proposed a common Europe fixture list.
UK: The weather has been very difficult for sailing in the last year with many storms and cold, rough seas which has resulted in a very low turnout at open meetings. Class numbers are low, however, 5 boats and crews have travelled to Elba.
Hungary: 5 boats and crews are sailing in the European Championship. Hungary hopes to organise an interational regatta in September.
Austria: 15 boats were racing at Attersee. Very difficult to attract young sailors.
Poland: 5 IFDCO members. There had been some difficulty in receiving the membership stickers. National Championship would be on a lake near the German border at the end of July. Polish regattas were usually well supported by German teams.
Czech Republic: The Hungarian NS reported that the the paid up membership is low.
Spain: The FD fleet has no support from the Federation so no National Championship has been held. It is very difficult to get secondhand boats and the Class badly needs more builders.
Slovenia: Only 1 FD sailing at present but competing as often as possible in neighbouring countries and at championships.
Germany: Fleet strong (about 270 members) with nearly 100 teams in the World Ranking List. 30 - 40 fixtures during the season.
Denmark: Fleet increased by 100% to 2 boats. The proposed world championship at Gilleleje might raise more interest.
Canada: Paid up membership is low.
France: Thanked the Italian Class and Organising Authority for a very enjoyable European Championship regatta. There is increasing interest in the Class and a good website has been started. Expected to organise racing in France soon and wish to co-ordinate fixtures with neighbouring countries.
New Zealand: 16 teams sailed in the National Championship including 3 from abroad. Hoping to attract strong foreign participation at the next National Championship in March 2001 on Lake Taupo.
Australia: 16 - 20 boats at National Championship. 3 new boats from Australian builders in the last 2 years. Can supply boats for visitors to the National Championship on Sydney Harbour in January 2001. Australian participation is strong at fixtures in New Zealand.
Holland: 1 all female team regularly racing and competing at the European Championship. Hoping to attract many visitors to important fixtures in Holland (Loosdrecht Easter Egg, National Championship, Gulcher Regatta). Very difficult to get good secondhand boats. Drew attention to the FD 50 years anniversary in 2002 and suggested to the GC that a special event be organised.
Other Matters: A new brochure has been designed in Holland which could be costed and made available to other countries for use with local text . Please contact the National Secretary for Holland. It was noted that the Class website needs updating. The Italian website was said to be well presented. The Treasurer noted that some membership subscriptions have not been received and that a membership list from each National Secretary is needed to enable him to identify the paid up members. The Class is badly in need of up to date and good quality photographs of recent years for publicity and promotion (for example,showing the changes to the rig). Photographs have been taken at championships by professionals but are expensive to obtain for use. The GC should consider appointing a photographer to a championship for this purpose subject to cost. Perhaps there are photographers within the Class who would discuss this with the GC.
Conclusion: The meeting ended late in the evening after a typical Italian dinner, the GC having decided to ressurect a pleasant custom of past years. There was much friendly exchange of views and reminiscence.
Ann Truett, General Secretary IFDCO, 27 / 07 / 00