Minutes of the 2009 RS:X Class Annual General Meeting held at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy Weymouth, United Kingdom on September 7th from 1600hrs > 2100hrs.
1. Present:
| Executive Committee | Votes | |
| Mike Dempsey | Chairman | 1 |
| Piotr Hlavaty | Senior Vice President | 1 |
| David Mead | Neil Pryde Representative | 1 |
| Rene Appel | Coach’s Delegate | 1 |
| Joao Rodrigues | Men’s Fleet Delegate | 1 |
| Rory Ramsden | COO/Class Secretary | 1 |
2. Apologies |
||
| Martin Aldridge | Treasurer | |
| Olga Maslivets | Women’s Fleet Delegate | |
| Rich Jeffries | Honorary Member | |
| Aaron Botzer | Honorary Member |
3. Present
| Delegate | Vote | Delegate | Vote | ||
| AUS |
Lars Kleppich | 1 | HKG | Rene Appel | 1 |
| BRA | Bruno Mareques | 1 | ISR | Rafael Balilus | 1 |
| BUL | Yoan Kolev | 1 | ITA | Vicenzo Baglione | 1 |
| CAN | Zac Plavsic | 1 | LTU | Gintautas Bernotas | 1 |
| COL | Santiago Grillo | 1 | NED | Aron Macintosh | 1 |
| CZE | Petr Kucera | 1 | NZL | Richard Ellis | 1 |
| DEN | Jochum Brenninkmeijer | 1 | POL | Piotr Hlavaty | 1 |
| EGY | Mohamed Elsafety | 1 | POR | Joao Rodrigues | 1 |
| ESP | Kim Lythgoe | 1 | THA | Deshopol Phuanukoolnont | 1 |
| FRA | Pascal Chaullet | 1 | TUR | Ilker Bayinder | 1 |
| GBR | Barrie Edgington | 1 | TPE | Alex Mowday | 1 |
| GRE | 1 |
4. Minutes of the last meeting
4.01 The minutes of the 2008 Annual General Meeting were approved.
5. Reports
a) President’s & Treasurer’s Report (see Appendix 1 for financial statement)
Mike Dempsey stated the key issue that he faced on becoming Chairman of the class was financial. With no major events between the 2008 RS:X European Championship and the 2009 edition, the class faced a serious challenge. Outgoings were cut back and expenditure reduced.
Mike said that martin Aldridge was sorry not to be able to attend the AGM in person. Progress has been made and the class is now on a firmer footing. The accounts to the end of January 2009 show a balance in hand of £27,000.
In the meantime, the website has been rebuilt, the Reach-4-The-Top Training programme launched and the RS:X Media Project executed.
ISAF did not approve the class request to charge €50 per complete set of equipment sold to fund the latter despite the proposal receiving the support of the 2008 AGM. Nevertheless, the project has gone ahead with the aim of maximising the visibility of the class on the internet through out the year.
b) Continental Representatives
Asia: Rene Appel The Class is growing in Asia with more younger sailors coming into the class.
Europe: Joao Rodrigues The ISAF Sailing World Cup Regattas were well supported. The RS:X European Championships were well organized on the water with the medal race course set close to the breakwater attracting a large crowd of supporters to see Shahar Zubari take the gold medal.
Oceania: Lars Kleppich The Bic Techno class has been formed in Australia as a pathway for young windsurfers to develop the necessary racing tactics and board handling skills before they move up the RS:X Youth Division. The RS:X Class in New Zealand is developing. The RS:X Australian National Championships was well supported.
South America: Bruno Marques The RS:X Class is growing in Colombia, Brazil and Argentina. The 2009 RS:X South American Championships was a success with competitors coming from Europe for early season training. A video was made of the event. Bimba’s club in Buzios is keen to host the 2012 RS:X Word Championships.
d) Manufacturers Representative’s Report (Download the Neil Pryde Report here)
David Mead gave a detailed overview of the RS:X One Design Business including sales, comparative pricing, coloured film on sails and the feasibility study on reducing the weight of the RS:X hull.
NP have not increased the price of the equipment since 2007 despite price increases in carbon and other materials. They will now seek approval from ISAF for a 2.7% increase. For full details of the report, please see the .pdf posted with these minutes
e) Youth Development
There have been 3 major RS:X Youth Championships in 2009. The year kicked off with the postponed 2008 RS:X Youth World Championships in Thailand. The event had to be re-scheduled for December 2008 but due to the sit-in at the airport it was impossible to get sailors in or out of the country
Next up was the first edition of the 2009 RS:X Open Youth European Championships in Paros, Greece which took place in April. This was the first test for new format ideas. The event was well organised but conflicted date-wise with exams and the beginning of the new school term.
Finally, the 2009 RS:X Youth World Championships took place in Yalikavak, Turkey sponsored by Palmalife. It was a great success with 80% of the competitors giving the event 8/10 or better in a post event on line survey.
Further testing of Format ideas was carried out. Please click here for the survey results and note that a 26% response rate is considered to be a median response to a web survey.
It should be noted that the St Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco has withdrawn its bid to host the 2010 YWC in favour of staging a combined RS:X/Techno Youth/Junior Windsurfing World Championships in 2011. The RS:X 2010 Youth Windsurfing World Championships will therefore be staged in Europe either in France or Bulgaria.
6. Election of New Men’s Fleet Representative
It was noted that the Men’s Fleet have elected Joao Rodrigues [POR] to represent their interests on the RS:X Executive Committee after the resignation of Nicholas Huguet [FRA] who is now coaching in the 49er class.
7. Submissions
| # | Detail | by | Accept/ Reject |
| ELECTION OF NATIONAL RS:X SAILOR REPRESENTATIVES (MALE & FEMALE) | |||
| 1 | “That one man and one woman national sailor representative be elected for each nation represented in the international RS:X men’s and women’s fleets by that nation’s sailors in that international fleet to express the views of the RS:X sailors from that nation to the sailors representatives elected to the RS:X Executive Committee and/or to the ISAF Athlete’s Commission. If a nation is not represented in a fleet (men or women) they cannot elect a rep in that fleet” Reasons a) to ensure that the ExCom sailor and ISAF AC reps have a clear way of interacting with the sailors of each represented nation. |
Nico Huguet 2nd Bruce Kendall |
Accept 24/2 |
| CLASS RULES | |||
| 2 | Considering the large number of NO Mark 2 fins and centreboard on the market and that distributor are still selling them (january 2009), allow other RSX fins and centreboard to be use in all competitions except World and Continental championship from 1st January 2010. | ESP | Withdrawn |
| 3 | Only equipment made after and including the following build numbers will be eligible to compete at World and European Championships
|
GBR 2nd GER |
Accept 21/7 |
| 4 | That the new ‘colored’ sails be approved for production | Rory 2nd GBR |
Accept 26 in favor |
| 5 | Only colored sails shall be used from January 1st 2011 at World and European Championships | Rory 2nd HKG |
Accept 14 For 11 No 3 Abstn |
| 6 | The new lightweight hull feasibility project goes ahead subject to class approval of any subsequent class rule change proposals before possible introduction on January 1st 2013 – Note. Pryde Group development costs shall not be recoverable by a price increase on RS:X Equipment | Rory 2nd AUS |
Accept 19 For 5 Abstn |
| 7 | Current Rule C.6.3(h) - The hull may be lightly sanded and/or polished. The manufacturer’s graphics on the inner layer of film shall not be affected except in the case of the result of local repairs to unintentional damage. Proposal Amend C.6.3(h) as follows: C.6.3(h) The hull may be lightly sanded and/or polished. Add new rule C.6.3(j) to read as follows; C.6.3(j) - The manufacturer’s graphics on the inner layer of film shall not be affected except in the case of the result of local repairs to unintentional damage. The Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions for events other than ISAF Sailing World Cup, World & Continental Championships may amend this rule. Reason The RSX Class has now been active since 2005 with over 2000 boards having been built by Neil Pryde. As equipment gets older and passed down to Youth Squads etc, the boards are subject to some damage and abuse to the point where the hull graphics may not be visible due to repairs etc to the underside of the board. The purpose of the rule is not to make older equipment illegal and as such a NOR or SI for National or Youth events may remove the requirement of C.6.3(j) to allow older equipment to be used. However, for World and Continental championships as well as ISAF World Cup Events competitors should be of the understanding that equipment shall not be modified and may only be done so to the extent permitted in the class rules. |
Bas 2nd NED |
Accept 24 For |
| 8 | Current Rule N/a Proposal Add new rule C.8.1(c) to read as follows; C.8.1(c) - For all mast spar sections before XXXXX, where the serial number is not clearly visible, B.2.1(b) shall apply. Reason It is known that the current method used by Neil Pryde to mark the mast spar sections is not permanent. Neil Pryde, have confirmed that they will amend the method of marking mast spar sections such that the serial number will be permanent and clearly visible for the purpose of Equipment inspection. Neil Pryde will confirm the serial number after which this will apply. However, to stop competitors having older equipment rejected at events because the serial number is not visible, the Equipment Inspector should be able to use an alternative method for determining compliance with C.8.1(b). |
Bas 2nd GBR |
Accept 22 For 2 Abstn |
| 9 | Current Rule N/a Proposal Add new rule H.1 to read as follows; H.1 Hull Weighing Procedure Where an equipment inspector chooses to apply C.6.2(c), the following procedure shall be applied. The hull shall be presented for this test in the condition as prescribed in C.6.1, which shall exclude all foot straps and any centreboard covers. The ventilation screw shall be in place for the test. The hull shall be put into water and left to float un-aided for 30 seconds. The hull shall then be turned over and left to float un-aided for a further 30 seconds. Once complete, the hull shall be stood vertically out of direct sunlight on its aft end for a period of 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes the hull shall be re-weighed. Reason Following the 2009 RSX Europeans, the Class CM noted that in the absence of a defined method, the wet weighing procedure was open to a subjective view. The above test is proposed to remove any subjectivity and to standardise the test. |
Bas 2nd NZL |
Accept 19 For 5 Abstn |
| STANDARD SAILING INSTRUCTIONS | |||
| 10 | That the ISAF World Cup Regatta Organisers use the RS:X Format of Racing as stated in the RS:X Standard Championship Sailing Instructions |
Rory 2nd HKG |
Accept 22 For 2 Abstn |
| 11 | That the RS:X Standard Sailing Instruction # 8.5 is amended as follows: The maximum number of races per day: a) In planning conditions, will be 3. b) In displacement or marginal planing conditions, will be 1 c) A third race may be sailed only if: · the first two races were sailed in planing conditions, or · the last one of the first two races was sailed in planning conditions and planning conditions exist for at least 10 minutes prior to the starting signal of the third race. |
POL/BEL | Withdrawn |
| 12 | That the RS:X Standard Sailing Instruction # 8.6 is amended as follows: a) When more than one race (or sequence of races, for two or more Classes/ Divisions/Groups) will be held on the same day, the warning signal for the first race shall be made at the stated time and for each succeeding race will be made as soon as practicable, except b) when the forecast predicts planing conditions later that day. In such a case the races should be postponed until estimated time of planning conditions. Racing may only be postponed if it remains possible to complete daily racing schedule. c) After a long postponement and/or to alert boards that a race or sequence of races will shortly begin, an Orange Flag will be displayed (with one sound) for at least four minutes before a warning signal is displayed. No sound signal will be made when the Orange Flag is lowered. |
POL/BEL | Withdrawn |
| 13 | Proposals as presented above ( #8 & 9) shall also relate to youth championships. Reasons: 1. To keep Olympic windsurfing as much as possible in seamanlike manners using wind as the main method of propulsion. 2. To minimize risk of injury, especially for youth sailors, existing in pumping conditions. |
POL/BEL | Withdrawn |
| STANDARD NOTICES OF RACE | |||
| 14 | That The number of days allotted prior to the first official race is reduced to ONE from Three. | Rory/Bas 2nd ESP |
Accept 19For 7Abst |
| 15 | That the NoR shall state that competitors shall not go afloat before completing registration procedures on site |
Rory | Withdrawn |
| FUTURE CHAMPIONSHIPS | |||
| All decisions on future championship venues are subject to contract agreement by the LOA with the Executive Office | |||
| 16 | That the 2012 World Championship shall take place in Thailand under the management of the EWC between the end of January and Palma. | EWT | Deferred to ExCom |
| 17 | That the 2012 World Championship shall take place in Cadiz, Spain (bid supported by the RFEV) | ESP | Deferred to ExCom |
| 18 | That the 2012 World Championship shall take place in Brest, France (bid supported by the FFV) |
FRA | Deferred to ExCom |
| 19 | That the 2012 European Championship shall take place in Schevennigen, Holland (bid supported by the KNWV) |
NED | Withdrawn |
| 20 | That the venue for a continental championship for both the Youth & Olympic Fleet shall be subject to a vote at a previous continental championship in that continent by paid up National Class Associations of that same continent. Only in the case where there is not a properly constituted quorum or in the absence of a previous timely continental championship shall the vote be made at the AGM and then only by the NCAs of the relevant continent. | FRA | Accept 18 For 2 Abstn |
| YOUTH DEVELOPMENT POLICY | |||
| 21 | That the RS:X Class shall stage an annual Open European Youth Championships Please note that youth divisions [U19] are included in continental championships outside Europe and these are open |
Rory | Accept 21 |
| 22 | Preamble It has been identified in the Youth Development Policy (YDP) that there is a need for equipment that helps sailors transition from the Techno to RSX. Given, as stated in the YDP - “We see that having an overlap with the Bic Techno class at the bottom end of the age range is a good thing. It will keep more young adults in the sport and allow them to race on equipment that is suitable to their body weight/physique” - it follows that the Techno should be encouraged as the primary one design stepping stone/feeder class for the Olympic Pathway, a platform that is and has established itself as the first steps in talent ID and Skills Development in national junior pathways across most of the world, a situation that can only benefit a clear template for NGB’s and sailors a like. The proposal is therefore that rather than pursue a parallel RSX junior rig, the class should support the Techno 7.8 One design sail as the transition rig using the RSX platform. Therefore supporting both the current pathway and reducing initial costs, leading to the next step of Youth 8.5 RSX when ability and or size permits. |
GBR | Accept 17 For 2 Abstn |
Appendix 1 - Financial Statements
The International RSX Class Association Ltd
Financial Summary as at 31 December 2009
| Income | € | € | € | |
| Subscriptions and regatta income | 73,636 | |||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Committee costs and expenses | ||||
| R Ramsden | 24,330 | |||
| R Jeffries | 2,750 | |||
| B Barger | 5,930 | |||
| 33,010 | ||||
| Bank charges | 954 | |||
| Regatta costs (including refunds) | 42,077 | |||
| Professional fees | 1,100 | |||
| ISAF | 190 | |||
| 77,331 | ||||
| Excess of expenditure over income | (3,695) | |||
| Surplus of income for previous year | 30,739 | |||
| 27,044 | ||||
| Represented By | ||||
| Funds held in Sterling & Euro Accounts | 27,044 |
We certify these accounts to be a true account of The International RSX Class Association’s financial position as at 31 January 2009.
Princecroft Willis LLP
Chartered Accountants
The International RSX Class Association
Financial Summary as at 31 July 2009
| Income | € | € | € | |
| Subscriptions and regatta income | 48,021 | |||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Committee costs and expenses | ||||
| R Ramsden | 12,311 | |||
| B Barger | 3,841 | |||
| 16,152 | ||||
| Bank charges | 449 | |||
| Regatta costs (including refunds) | 8,291 | |||
| Professional fees | 600 | |||
| ISAF | 240 | |||
| 25,732 | ||||
| Surplus income over expenditure | 22,289 | |||
| Surplus income for previous year | 27,044 | |||
| 49,333 | ||||
| Represented By | ||||
| Funds held in Sterling & Euro Accounts | 49,333 |
We certify these accounts to be a true account of The International RSX Class Association’s financial position as at 31 July 2009.
Princecroft Willis LLP
Chartered Accountants
