MINUTES OF THE A .G .M. HELD AT THE ROYAL MOTOR YACHT CLUB. TORONTO. N.S.W. AUSTRALIA, TUESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 1976.

Dennis SURTEES International President
Alain LALLEMAND International Secretary
Pat MURPHY Australian president
Neville JENSEN Secretary

Approximately 70 members of the Association

Apologies Maurice DOBEYN International Auditor
Alain PREEL Treasurer

1. The President opened the meeting at 10:10 a.m. and welcomed all present.

2. Minutes
Moved J. ANDRON (U.S.A.), seconded B. DALLY (U.S.A.) that the minutes of last year's A.G.M. as circulated be accepted Carried.

3. Business arising from minutes Nil.

4. International President's Report - As attached

5. International Secretary's Report
The Secretary reported that the Class continues to flourish and a steady increase in numbers is maintained, He stated that the countries with the largest numbers are getting bigger, but the countries with smaller numbers are struggling and need the help of the Class.

6. International Treasurer's Report - As attached

7. General Business

a, Twin Spinnaker Launchers
The question of allowing two spinnaker launchers was discussed at some length. The general feeling at the meeting was that this would not be a good idea and that it should be prohibited, to prevent further increasing the cost of boats and out dating existing boats, president Dennis SURTEES added that this matter should be referred, in any case, to the Technical Committee,

b, Further to the above (item a) the meeting discussed at length whether or not it was desirable to carry two spinnakers on the boat during a race, Finally it was moved B. DALLY (U.S.A.) seconded N.JENSEN (Aust) that only one spinnaker will be carried on the boat during any given race,

Minutes Secretary's Note on Item b, It seems to me that the mover of this motion was struggling for the correct wording, In fact, the feeling of the meeting was that only one given spinnaker may be used during any given race, not that only one spinnaker may be carried in the boat, i.e, On a day when there is two races a skipper has the option of taking two spinnakers out to the race area but may only use one spinnaker in either race, at least he has the option of changing spinnakers for the second race, The way the motion is worded, this option is excluded unless the competing yacht has assistance nc-ar by0 This was not the feeling of the meeting and should be given further consideration,

c. President SURTEES opened discussion to the meeting on the possible limitation of venue of future International Championships, due to restrictions on the granting of visas to some entrants. Much discussion ensued as to whether or not this would prove a hazard, Finally it was moved Pat MURPHY (AUST) seconded B. DALLY (USA.) that the written confirmation to give entry to all competitors be received from the goverment of the host country at least one year prior to the event, Without which confirmation the Class executive be given the option to select an alternative venue, Carried.

d. Jib Measurement Rule The President reported that the new jib measurement rule has been submitted to the I.Y.R.U. for acceptance,

e. Course Alteration A letter from the French Association proposing course alterations (as per correspondence) was submitted to the meeting, From this letter much discussion took place on the merits and otherwise of the current course, Comments were : -

2 Geoff BRAUCH (USA) - That the shape of the spinnaker was more important than crew weight, Lew DANN (U.K) - Felt that tight, hard reaches requirE less skill and that the gybe mark should be brought in to broaden the reach, Kyrwoods (AUST) - 0K, as is. Eric LOCKEYEAR (HK) - Suggested that a tight reach and a broad reach would satisfy everybody,

Moved , D. GILCHREST (AUST), seconded E. LOCKEYEAR (HK), that future Worlds Series be held round course consisting of triangle, a windward and return, a second triangle and final windward leg to the finish, with the race committee being given the discretion to move the gybe mark to provide a tight reach and a broad reach in the two triangles, Carried almost unanimously,

f. Disqualifications The meeting was mostly in favour of some alteration to the current "all in - all out" rule, and would be in favour of consideration being given to a % penalty or 720 rule, Matter to be referred to the technical Committee,

g. 1977 World Series A member of the French Association put forward a proposal for the 1977 Worlds to be held in La Rochelle, France, The programme presented was accepted subject to a provision for resail be included in the programme,

h. 1978 worlds Series Don Mc NEIL (Canada) put forward a proposal for the 1978 Worlds to be held at Toronto, Canada.

i. 1977 European Championships
The Secretary reported that the 1977 European Championships would be held in the South of Denmark in July,

j. Pacific Coast Championships
Eric LOCKEYEAR (HK) reported that the next Pacific Coast Championships would be held in Singapore in late 1977,

k. Entry in European Championships Eric LOCKEYEAR (HK) proposed that one boat per region be permitted entry in the European Championships,

l. Entry in World Championships
Governing Committee put forward a proposal to invite up to a maximum of 5 skippers from "NON 505 REGIONS" to compete in the Worlds when the maximum 75 entries had not been filled and only 2 when the maximum of 75 had been filled.

9. Election of Officers
It was moved and seconded that the written proposals be accepted, Carried

There being no further business the president thanked all members for their attendance and declared the meeting closed.