ISAF Conference- Youth Worlds to Oman, RS-X stays to 2016 for Youths

by Sail-World on 4 Nov 2012
The ISAF Youth World Championship Sub-committee met Saturday at the 2012 ISAF Annual Conference in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, on the opening day of the Annual Conference of the governing body for world sailing, being staged in Ireland.

Just four months ago Dun Laoghaire and the Royal Marine Hotel, the ISAF Conference venue, were gearing up to host the 2012 Four Star Pizza ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship. Several committee members attended the event and the meeting today allowed them to review the 2012 event and look forward.

Dublin Bay 2012 Chairman Brian Craig debriefed the sub-committee on the 2012 regatta which was deemed a great success. Regatta organisers from Limassol 2013, Tavira 2014 and Langkawi 2015 were on hand to listen and learn from Craig and they also updated those in attendance on the progress made for the forthcoming events.

The committee received 2016 bid presentations from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Medemblik, the Netherlands, Al Musannah Sports City, Oman and Gdynia, Poland. After a lengthy discussion it was decided that Al Musannah Sports City, Oman would be recommended to the Events Committee.

Submission 091-12 was approved by the Sub-committee which could see the Championship shortened by two days subject to approval from the Events Committee and ISAF Council.

At the 2012 regatta Great Britain's Saskia Sills blitzed the RS:X Girls fleet to take an emphatic gold year. It marked a wonderful year for the Brit who went on to European glory less than a month later. It was an achievement that saw her pick up an ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year nomination which Sub-committee Chairman Fiona Kidd was delighted to see, 'It is such a thrill to have such a young athlete nominated for such a prestigious award. It really shows that the level of skill and commitment that the athletes are making to come to the Youth Worlds is tremendous. Saskia being nominated is a testament to her skill and dedication and I wish her all the luck in her future endeavours.'

The success for ISAF Youth Worlds graduates didn't end there as many of them picked up medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games. One of the most notable achievements was that of Cyprus' Pavlos Kontides. The Cypriot secured his country's first ever Olympic medal sailing in the Laser. Kontides represented his country at the 2004 Youth Worlds and sailed every year until 2007 when he won gold. Along the way he was supported by the ISAF Athlete Participation Programme which helped to kick start his career.

On the Cypriot Kidd said, 'Pavlos was a product of the Youth Worlds through the Athletes Participation Programme. We are delighted that Cyprus is hosting the 2013 Youth Worlds and as Pavlos' medal was the first Olympic medal for Cyprus this is great for the event and the development of the sport in Cyprus.'

In an aside to the upcoming debate on Windsurfing versus Kiteboarding, it has been confirmed at the Youth Sub-Committee level that the RS:X windsurfer will remain in the Youth Worlds until at least 2016.