What kind of sailor are YOU?

Dobbs Davies examines the first outing of ISAF's new Competitor Classification system

ISAF's new international code

The ISAF Sailor's Classification Code launched last November was devised to try and meld the best of the US and RYA codes together so that its use could be universal in application. The impetus for its formation came from understanding that ISAF classes such as the Mumm 30 and Farr 40 use a code devised and administered in the US and thus may not be reflective of the cultural and geographical diversity of sailors attending World Championship events. (Even though the US committee does have members from outside the US to review non-US applications.)

Accordingly, RYA code veteran Antony Matusch has taken on the position of chairing the ISAF Competitor Classification committee, which has, with the help of ISAF IT manager Craig Mitchell and web guru Paul Pascoe, put into place a new semi-automated code system.

The system is self-declaring, unlike the US system, and the way it works is surprisingly simple: sailors log on to the ISAF website ( www.sailing.org/classification) and enter their personal information, answers to questions related to obtaining a classification from the code, and the rating they think they should receive. If the answers are such that an "obvious" Group 1 or Group 3 rating is called for, then the program automatically generates that rating. However, if the answers are not obvious, then the application reverts to the committee for review.

Panel members from the committee - who currently hail from the UK, USA and Ireland with additional members being sought from Australia, Italy, and France - are then free to review the case and ask additional questions either to validate the rating or suggest another more appropriate to the code. The sailor can also appeal the decisions, and the case gets further review from another panel.