Jury duty at Hamilton Island
'Irish national judge Dave Meagher - Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2008'
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Irish national judge Dave Meagher spent two days travelling from Cork to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week in the Queensland Whitsunday Islands to join the six-person jury for this year's 25th event silver jubilee.
Meagher, who sails Mumm 30's competitively, is working towards the status of international juror, an apprenticeship that can take many, many years.
He began working in sailing administration in 2000 and worked his way up to be the race committee chairman of the 2006 and 2008 Cork Weeks.
Attending international regattas with the status of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is part of the qualifying process to become an international juror. Following this regatta a report will be submitted by the chairman of the jury on his performance and once he's completed the written exam next year, ISAF will review his exam results, practical experience and reports, and determine whether he qualifies as an international juror.
'I'm hoping to be an international juror by Audi Hamilton Island Race Week next year,' says Meagher.
'I've always wanted to work on the other side of sailing. It's a way of putting time back into the sport and as you get older, it gives you another angle to stay involved.'
Meagher's advice for those thinking about embarking on the long road to international juror is, 'you have to be open minded. You are just there to interpret the rules and ultimately you are there to help competitors because they are the bread and butter of any event.
'It's also about how you get on with people and staying in touch with the sailors. It's important to be accessible to the competitors.'
The international jury for Race Week comprises Meagher plus two Australian, one Hong Kong and two New Zealand judges. Each day one acts as arbitrator while the other five make up the jury. 'So far this week has not been too taxing on the jury,' regatta director Denis Thompson is happy to report.
'It's an honour to be invited to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week,' Meagher adds.
www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au/
by Lisa Ratcliff 
Falmouth TASMANIA, VIC
