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Minutes of the 1998 AGM:
These had been
circulated to National Associations and had been available on the web site since November
1998. Proposed by Neil Fulcher (GBR) and Ian Dunn (AUS) that the minutes be taken as read
and approved. Approved without dissent.
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President’s Report:
The President presented the
following report:-
"The Class was designed in the 1950s as a one design
development class. The Rules provide for hull construction to be tightly monitored and for
foil shapes and layouts to be very flexible within parameters strict enough to preserve
the basic concept of "one design" racing. For over forty years I think the Class
has done extremely well in maintaining the integrity of John Westell’s original
concept. In view of our ability to have held well attended World Championships every year
for forty four years, I think we can lay claim to being the most successful high
performance dinghy yet produced.
Part of this success has been due to the integrity of the fleet
measurers in the various countries around the world. This is a point which I wish to dwell
on. At a couple of recent major regattas some competitors have competed without the most
basic requirement of being a 505 boat owner - i.e. being the holder of a valid measurement
certificate. This practice is of utmost concern to the IEC and will not be tolerated. We
have taken steps to have offenders’ results removed from recent regattas and make no
apology for taking a strong stand on this issue. It is fundamental to racing a 505 that
one must hold a valid measurement certificate. If we allow the Class to lower its
standards on this issue we will very quickly slide into being an undisciplined group with
no significance.
It is exciting to see such a huge entry for this year’s
Worlds which is, I believe, our largest fleet ever. It will be interesting to hear the
competitors’ reaction to such a large fleet after the event. In 1967 at La Baule
there were 145 starters and it was this regatta which brought about a subsequent rule to
limit Worlds entries to 75. Things have thus come full circle.
It is with deepest regret that we were recently saddened by the
news of the passing of Huguette Buffet. Huguette had been an active and ardent supported
of the Class and a supporter of Marcel’s involvement in the Class ever since its
inception. Her familiar face will be sadly missed at International Regattas and our
special condolences are extended to Marcel."
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Secretary’s Report:
The
International Secretary reported that the rule changes which went to ballot following the
1998 AGM had been passed by an overwhelming majority. The number of ballots returned, with
the exception of Australia and France, was very low, although this may have been because
the changes were not viewed as being controversial.
Following the recent debate in the Class concerning Category B
advertising, we have been monitoring ISAF’s proposals to modify the advertising
rules, since these include abolition of Category B. We have been actively making the
Class’s views known, and were particularly pleased to have the opportunity of
discussing matters with the ISAF President, Paul Henderson, at the IGC meeting two days
before this AGM. Whilst the detail is still awaited, it is gratifying that the ISAF’s
philosophy is that control should rest with the Classes, except for major international
events such as the Olympics and the Round the World Race where ISAF would retain control.
Overall, membership in 1998 was slightly down on the previous
year at 1,011. This was almost entirely due to a significant fall in UK membership. This
was due to administrative problems rather than a real decline in active boat ownership. It
is understood that numbers are already recovering in the UK and France is also likely to
show significant growth in 1999.
Since the last Worlds, twenty four boats have been registered
and we are on course for around thirty over the twelve month period, which is similar to
previous years.
The ISAF have recently written seeking to increase the building
fee from its present level of �25. They have reminded us that the figure is supposed to
be based on 0.4% of the average price of a new boat in the UK, which would suggest an
increase of between �15 and �20 on the existing figure - hardly something which is
likely to impact on the number of new boats built.
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Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer
presented the audited accounts for 1998 which had been circulated with the agenda.
Although there had been a fall income, a surplus of �3,724 had been made following a
deficit of �2,071 in 1997. This was mainly due to:-
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The Secretary and Chief Measurer being paid reduced retainers.
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No magazine produced during the year.
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No significant travelling costs claimed by officers.
It was proposed by Jim Berry (GBR) and seconded by Peter Holden
(AUS) that the accounts be adopted. Approved without dissent.
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Appointment of Auditor:
Chris Thorne
advised that Jurgen Feurerhake (GER) had indicated his willingness to stand again as
auditor. His appointment was proposed by Tom Bojland (DEN) and seconded by Neil Fulcher
(GBR). Approved without dissent.
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International Rules Committee:
The IRC
Chairman briefly outlined the sail measurement changes which had been approved at ballot
and would come into force either on 1 January or 1 March 2000, subject to approval by the
ISAF. He recommended that all measurers should obtain a copy of the ISAF Equipment Rules
of Sailing, which contained the definitions used in our new rules.
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Election of Officers:
Both existing
office holders facing re-election, Chris Thorne (International Secretary) and Steve
Burwood (International Treasurer), had indicated their willingness to serve for a further
term. There being no other nominations, the President declared them duly re-elected.
The post of IRC Chairman was also to be elected by the
membership for the first time following the constitutional changes approved at the recent
ballot. Rob Napier had indicated his willingness to continue in the position and was
nominated by the IEC. His election was approved on a show of hands.
Although not formally due for election this year, the President
wished to take this opportunity of confirming Ali Meller’s role as Vice President.
Although this appointment had been made two years ago by co-option, it had now been
formally constituted following the recent ballot. He wished to thank Ali for the huge
effort he had made, both in maintaining the NA web site and communicating news to
Association members and the outside world.
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Proposed Rule Changes:
These were
detailed on the agenda, which had been circulated to all National Associations prior to
the AGM and which was available to members attending the meeting.
Peter Holden (AUS) proposed that the amendment to A7.2, item 8a
of the agenda be approved. Seconded by Ian Dunn (AUS). Approved without dissent.
The Secretary and President outlined the discussions which had
taken place with Paul Henderson, President of ISAF, at the IGC meeting with regard to the
proposed abolition of Category B. Proposed by Tom Bojland (DEN) that 8b of the agenda be
accepted. Seconded by Paul Young (GBR). Approved without dissent.
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Other Rule Changes:
The Secretary
reported that there had been no proposals made in accordance with Rule A11, A12 and A13.
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Report on Experiments with Larger Spinnaker:
Tom
Bojland reported that a few Danish boats had been experimenting over the last winter with
a larger spinnaker as mooted at the last two AGMs. The luff length had been increased by a
metre to six metres. The experiments involved a simple, temporary modification to the
mast, i.e. fixing a temporary external sheave for the spinnaker halyard 85cms higher than
the existing. The pole fitting remained at the same height but the pole was carried 15cms
lower. The conclusion drawn by the Danes was that the new spinnaker improved enjoyment of
the boat and resulted in material speed increases when sailing broad and in lighter winds.
Testing had been done in up to 30 knots.
Krister Bergstrom had tried an even bigger kite with 6.5m luffs
and lower pole fitting. The problem with this was that he couldn’t see in front and
he felt that this was dangerous and undesirable.
Jean-Baptiste Dupont (FRA) reported that he had tried putting
the halyard up half a metre and moving the pole down half a metre. He also confirmed
visibility problems. Another problem with lowering the pole was preventing it from
lifting. He also found a problem fitting the larger kite in the chute. Tom Bojland
countered that this had not found to be a problem by the Danes.
On a show of hands it was clear that the vast majority present
were in favour of the trials progressing. The President proposed that the IEC should form
a sub committee to draw up some firm guidelines for final experimentation and actively
encourage National Associations to try the new kite in competitive situations during the
next year, e.g. by allowing dispensation for its use in specific cases or regattas. This
would then give a basis on which a firm rule change could be proposed and voted upon at
the next AGM. This course of action was agreed by virtually all present, with only two
dissenters.
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World Championships 2000:
Nigel Milln
(RSA) confirmed arrangements for the 2000 Worlds at The Point Yacht Club in Durban on
13-24 November 2000. He advised that there would be a pre-Worlds series of three days. The
Worlds proper would be Friday 17 to Friday 24 inclusive which would allow one lay day,
scheduled after four days of racing. It was felt prudent to allow for a lay day since
winds at that time of the year were expected to be strong - with an average of 15 to 25
knots. The sea would be significantly warmer than anywhere in Europe and the air
temperature would probably be between 20 and 25 Celsius.
Sponsorship had been arranged with the Mediterranean Shipping
Company. Containers and shipping would be free of charge, although competitors would have
to pay incidental costs such as insurance, demurrage and transfers. Containers could be
provided from Australia, the USA and major ports in Europe. Bob Crisp was in charge of
organising the containers and had been making himself known to competitors at this
Championship.
An advantage of holding the Worlds in November was that it was
an off peak season and therefore both the air fares and local accommodation would be
cheaper. Club members were likely to offer to put people up in their homes. Many of these
were in the suburbs and would be particularly suited to families. In town hotel
accommodation could be had for around �25 per night and a more modest bed and breakfast
for around �10 per night.
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2001 Championships:
Clube Naval de
Cascais, Estoril, Portugal, had been intending to send a representative to the meeting to
make a presentation, but unfortunately had to cry off at the last minute. A written
proposal had been sent to the Secretary instead. The club seemed to be a venue with a good
track record in hosting international regattas and an attractive place to stay. New
facilities were in the course of being developed. The regatta was scheduled for July. Some
concerns were expressed over the detail and the club’s ability to meet all our
requirements, particularly on shore social events. It was agreed that it would be prudent
for Officers to contact Cascais with our queries and perhaps visit the site with a view to
satisfying themselves that the venue would be satisfactory. The meeting approved by a
large majority a proposal by the President that we provisionally accept Cascais’s
invitation.
In the event that Cascais does not prove to be satisfactory,
Krister Bergstrom (SWE) advised that Sweden would be prepared to host the 2001
Championships, although its preference was for 2003. There was general acceptance of this
proposal and the Swedish Association are invited to bring back detailed proposals for
approval at the 2000 AGM.
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2002 Championships:
Ian Dunn made a
short presentation about the regatta site at Freemantle, near Perth. Grolsch had already
offered sponsorship, although no specific sponsor had yet been arranged for containers.
Whilst the meeting was positive about the venue, concerns were expressed over the proposed
date with the pre-Worlds starting in December 2001 and the Worlds proper taking place in
the first week of January 2002. Concerns were expressed over the costs and availability of
airline tickets over the Christmas/New Year period. However, the greatest objection was
that this date would be only five months after the Worlds in Cascais and, when taken
together with Durban, would mean that there would be three Championships in little over
thirteen months. It was felt that this programme would adversely affect the attendance at
some or all of the three events. Rather than move the Perth Championships back to February
or March, which would not prove popular with the Europeans, there was a strong view
expressed from the floor that it would be preferable to have the Championships at the end
of 2002, thus giving non Australians plenty of time to save up for the event. Ian Dunn
agreed to go back to the club with this proposal.
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European Championships 2000:
Jim Berry
confirmed the arrangements for the European Championships to be held at Abersoch in Wales
in August 2000. The event would be combined with the UK Nationals and possibly with the UK
round of the European Cup. A publicity leaflet was being circulated to competitors at
Quiberon.
The formal business of the meeting was concluded at 22.00 hrs