Attention record breakers

WSSRC secretary John Reed on the dos and don'ts necessary for water borne record breaking

The high level of interest currently being shown in challenging various offshore
passage records is a matter of great satisfaction to the members of the World Sailing Speed Record Council. For a number of years now, WSSRC, which is an organization
affiliated to the International Sailing Federation, has been accepted as the official
body for ratifying all sailing speed records both inshore and offshore.

One problem we have faced several times recently is that potential record setters seem
to think that they can sail first and contact us afterwards to obtain ratification. Of course, this is impossible because the arrangements for timing the start and finish of any passage have to be discussed and agreed well in advance. We have representatives in many parts of the world who stand ready to inspect boats, interview skippers and make all the necessary arrangements in good time but they cannot reasonably be expected to drop everything and rush to some gale-blasted headland at a few hours notice.

In the most extreme example recently, we heard by chance about a record attempt planned to start the following day!

There is also the small matter of payment. Time, travel and administration inevitably
cost something and although our fees are as reasonable as we can make them,
we do expect to be paid in advance as this matter can easily be overlooked after a passage is completed - or abandoned.

To all sailors intending to challenge any sailing record may I implore you to contact our office WELL IN ADVANCE. We are there to help in any way we can; we just need a
little time.

John Reed
Secretary to the WSSR Council
Contact details: PO Box 2, Bordon, Hants GU35 9JX England. Tel: 01420 472293
Fax: 01420 476067
e-mail: cjohnreed@compuserve.com