Class Measurement Seminar in Sydney December 2008
Australia will be welcoming internationally renowned David Sprague to Sydney on 4 December 2008 for a two day measurement seminar.
'Checking the cross measurements on a 420 mainsail'
Richard Gladwell Click Here to view large photo
The ISAF International Measurers Seminar will be held in conjunction with the Sail Sydney event (SIRS) at the Woollahra Sailing Club and will be a major officials' development opportunity for any Class Association in Australia.
The ISAF International Measurers Seminar is immediately suitable for any International and Recognised Class, given that it is geared around the ISAF Equipment Rules of Sailing and how those classes rules are run. Yachting Australia is expecting a strong turn out from those classes such as the Laser, 470, 49er and RS:X that enjoy Olympic status or other international classes such at the F18 multihull or Optimist whose competitors also have the opportunity of strong and genuinely global events.
Other classes in Australia including any of the specialist and elite skiff classes, multihull such as the Arrow, or junior like the Sabot and Flying 11 could also all take advantage of this seminar given the principles of measurement and training of measurers remain the same.
Measurers, or those aspiring to become a Measurer should attend the measurement seminar so that they receive high level training on topics such as hull and foil measurement techniques, rigs and rigging materials, measurement equipment, class rules, the Equipment Rules of Sailing and how to best help competitors.
The importance of measurement and class compliance can not be over stressed.
Most recently there was a high profile issue at the Olympics with Netherlands representative Mitch Booth developing a new spinnaker for his Tornado. The immediate question asked was 'does it measure within the rules?' and that was one for the official measurers at the event.
Yachting Australia was approached by a junior class parent and rigging supplier wanting to know if they could use exotic fibre ropes in their rigging instead of multi-strand wire. The parent was directed to their class rules and for those interested, it turned out the answer was 'no.'
Another recent example was the Australian Light Weight Sharpie class, a fierce bunch of competitors sailing hard and fast boats, who encountered a problem where a significant number of boats were built and were racing, but may not have conformed to class rules. There was a flurry of communication, involvement of many measurers and judges, with a successful outcome achieved for the competitors and Class Association..
In both of the above cases it was a matter for measurers to be involved.
When competitors come to events and face up against others on the start line, it is critical to the fairness of that competition that everyone is racing boats which comply with the rules of the relevant class. The measurers often guide parents of junior classes or skippers of the most elite in advance of an event on what is within the class rules, and certify the boat accordingly (or not).
When presenting their boat for registration a good skipper will already have copies of measurement forms and certificates ready for the Organising Authority to view and check if need be. The Organising Authority will often have their own appointed measurer at the event to do these checks.
The ISAF International Measurers seminar in December 2008 will give classes and key Organising Authorities the opportunity to train their people on how to measure boats to the highest standard.
Yachting Australia strongly recommends that any class who takes their class rules and ongoing compliance seriously to send one or two representatives along to take advantage of this two day event.
For further information please click www.sailing.org.au/event.asp?ID=19444&;format=popup
www.sailing.org.au
by Glen Stanaway 
Inverloch, VIC
