Proposed ISAF Minimum Age Limit Withdrawn

The following is from Making Waves, the ISAF Newsletter:

Minimum Age Limit - One of the ISAF Executive Committee's more
controversial submissions received a knock by the Events Committee at their meeting on Wednesday 13 November when they recommended for Council to reject the proposal to place a minimum age of 15 years for World Championship events. They did however express their support for the intent of the submission. In a responsible move by Council it was resolved that the submission would be withdrawn and a working party of experts formed to analyse and evaluate the current position and medical, emotional and logistical research relating to the effect of such high level competition on the younger sailors in the world. They are to report to Council at the 2003 Mid-Year Meetings in May.

As I reported on the TasarSailors list on October 24, 2002, Jeff Martin, Chair of the ISAF Classes Committee, wrote asking for feedback on a number of proposals going to the ISAF Council.  One was proposal 063-02p:

"World Championships-age limits - restrict entry in world championships to 15 years or over on the 1st of January if the year in which the championship is held."

I submitted the following response on behalf of the World Tasar Class Association, which I also emailed to Paul Henderson, chair of ISAF:

We strongly object to this submission. The proposed restriction is arbitrary, unnecessary, and will prevent a number of active young Tasar sailors from taking part in Tasar World Championships.

I quote Charlie Griffes of Seattle: 'My son Malcolm will be in his 5th year of racing with me in the Tasar and will only be 13 as of Jan 1, 2003 and thus not eligible for the 2003 Tasar Worlds with the new rules. This seems ridiculous and he would be very disappointed as he has been expressing enthusiasm for it regularly, especially after having so much fun at the Pre-worlds a few months ago.'

We know of at least two other adult/junior teams who will also be prohibited from competing if this regulation is in effect. Why should these young sailors, or any others who have the competence to compete in Tasar class events, be denied the opportunity to sail in our premier event?

We see no reason or rationale whatever for this proposal, and urge that it be rejected.

Richard Spencer

Posted 2002-11-18

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