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WTCA>Minutes & Reports>2003 World Council Meeting

World Tasar Class Association

Minutes of the World Council Meeting held at the Ward Room, CFSA, Esquimalt, BC, Canada, June 23, 2003 at 7 PM.

Present:

World Council Members

Name	Region	Status
Cathy Sherwood	North America	President
Chris Parkinson	Australia	Vice President & President, ATC
Constantijn Udo	Europe	President, European Region
Allan Johnson	North America	President, NATA
George Motoyoshi	Japan	President, JTA
Todd Blumel	North America	Chief Measurer
Richard Spencer	North America	Executive Secretary

Regrets

1.  Introductions

Cathy Sherwood took the chair and introduced those present.

2.  Minutes

The minutes of the World Council meeting of August, 2001as posted on the web, were approved.

3.  President's report.  Cathy Sherwood

Cathy thanked all those present for attending.  On behalf of all competitors and others attending the World Championship, she then thanked the Vancouver Island Tasar fleet and the many helpers and volunteers for organising and running an outstanding event.

4.  Regional reports

Europe.  Constantijn Udo reported that there is some Tasar activity in Holland, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, with about 8 to 10 active boats.  The number of other classes, and spread of Tasar activity over a relatively large area, makes it very difficult to increase the numbers of active Tasars in Continental Europe

UK District.  Liz Grist, President of TAUK, submitted a written report.

Australia.  Chris Parkinson reported that Tasar activity in Australia is holding steady.  Very few new boats are being sold, but demand is high for second hand boats, with prices rangind from $2,000 to $10,000 AUD.  Activity is strongest in NSW and Victoria.  There are 2 active clubs in Western Australia, plus one in Kimberly.  The 2002 Australian Nationals, held in Port Lincoln, South Australia, attracted 50 boats and were a great event.  Tasar activity in Queensland has declined in Cairns, but is starting up in Brisbane.  There is a strong fleet in Darwin, NT, including a number of younger sailors.

There are about 250 members of the Australian Tasar Council.  There is a website at www.tasar.org.au, with a forum for posting messages.  The newsletter is being distributed in pdf form, via email.

Frank Bethwaite's proposal for a Tasar II made the class in Australia think about the future of the class.  There is now more interest in having the class market and promote the boat, rather than relying on the builder to do this.  A website for registering boats is being considered, with the intention of recording boat number, name of current owner and name of sailing club.  A Tasar reunion could follow.

The ATC is proposing a Technical Committee (see agenda item 8).

The ATC considers that voting on the minimum hull weight after every World championship, as required by class rule D.3.2, is disruptive to the class, and creates a sense of instability in the rules. We should not hold another vote until we think it is likely to be successful.

North America.  Allan Johnson reported that most North American Tasar activity is in the Pacific North West, particularly in Vancouver, Seattle and Portland.  There is also a fleet in Edmonton.  The Victoria Worlds were very helpful in increasing activity in Seattle, and they are getting 12 to 15 boats racing on Thursday evenings.  There are boats at the Worlds from Alberta, San Diego and Bellingham.  We do know of active boats in other parts of the region, including 2 in Annapolis.  College sailors are joining the Tasar class, and NATA membership is currently about 45.

In Vancouver, clinics given by Thilo Giese have been very popular, and the fleet is positive about maintaining or increasing its size. 

Japan.  George Motoyoshi reported that the Japanese Tasar Association is strong, with 46 boats competing in their 2002 nationals.  They hope to get more younger sailors involved.  JTA have discussed the crew weight rule C.6 at length, and would like to see it removed.  They ask that the World Council continue to discuss either modifying or removing this rule.

5.  Executive Secretary's report.  Richard Spencer thanked the regions for contributing to the purchase new trophies, and thanked Carol Buchan for purchasing these.  He reported that there is currently 6.97 GBP in the WTCA bank account.  There will be consultation with World Council members about how to split costs between regions before any future amounts are levied for special purposes. The preferred method is to split costs based on membership.

Hull weight:  Voting on the proposal from the 2001 World Council Meeting to reduce the minimum hull weight was 7 opposed and 3 in favour.  Todd reported that the average hull weight for 37 boats weighed in North America was 147 lbs (66.7 kg).  The average weight went up slightly when older boats were sailed in preparation for the Worlds. 

Moved Richard Spencer, seconded David Bretherton, the World Council should not propose a reduction in minimum hull weight at this time.  Carried

Crew weight.  Richard proposed we trial a revised crew weight rule, along the lines proposed by Frank Bethwaite (see "Crew Weight").  Frank suggested that only three quarters of the difference between the crew weight and 130 kg should be carried (to a maximum of 12 kg).  Frank also discussed his ideas on crew weight in an earlier article on "Performance Equalization for smaller stature crews".  

NATA does not enforce the crew weight rule. NATA agrees that this changes the results in some conditions, and also has some affect on who chooses to join the fleet, and who leaves it .In NATA's view this is not unfair - it is just different.

George said that many crews in Japan have to carry the maximum 12 kg of ballast when the crew weight rule applies. Japan normally enforces the crew weight rule.  They have tried racing without crew weight, and believes there is no difference in regatta results.  Richard pointed out that the members in any region can vote not to use the crew weight rule in regional events, although it will be applied in World Championships.

Chris said that equalization, and the requirement to carry weight, is not an issue in Australia.  All underweight crews carry weight in all Tasar events.  There would be strong opposition to eliminating the requirement for equalization ballast.

Agreed:  Chris Parkinson agreed to recommend to districts in Australia that they trial a requirement for carrying 50% of the difference between crew weight and 130 kg and report on the results.

Requirements for World Championships. 
The draft requirements, which were posted on the web, were ammended to read (in the section: "Agreement of the MNA"): "Organizers should contact their MNA immediately following approval of the site by the World Council to get the MNA's agreement to the proposed venue, dates and organizing club."
Moved Richard Spencer, seconded Tijn Udo, that we adopt the proposed requirements, as ammended.  Carried.

ISAF Report.
The requirements for the report to be submitted to ISAF, following a World Championship, as part of the class annual report to ISAF, are on the web, and were presented for information.

Website:  The World Tasar Class and NATA website is the primary vehicle for informing members about Tasar news and developments.

6.  Designer's Report.  Frank Bethwaite's report was distributed at the meeting.  Frank was thanked for his many contributions over the years, and his continuing interest in and support of the class.

7.  Measurer's report.  Todd Blumel.  Todd is resigning after serving as Chief  Measurer since 2001. 

Measurer's sub-committee.  Moved Todd Blumel, seconded Tijn Udo, that there be a Measurer's sub-committee, with a representative from each region chosen by the Chief Measurer, to assist the Chief Measurer at each Worlds.  Carried.

Items from the measurer's meeting:
(a) Measurers' Guidebook.  It would be helpful if there was a guidebook for measurers. This should be available on the website.  Tony Keevers has a guide for people buying a used Tasar, and there is a guide for people who build kit boats in Australia.  These could provide material that could be included in a measurers' guide.

(b) Hounds to deck measurement.  The measurers recommend reinstatement of a hounds to deck measurement. 
Moved Todd Blumel, seconded David Bretherton, that we propose a rule requiring the top mast be supported on an insert (as on current Australian and North American Tasars) and a minimum measurement of 3720 mm from hounds to deck.  Carried.

(c) Forestay and shroud adjustment.  Some competitors are adjusting their shrouds and forestays on the water between races.  This is considered to be potentially unsafe, as it can lead to dismasting. 
Moved Todd Blumel, seconded Chris Parkinson, that we propose a rule prohibiting the adjustment of forestay and/or shrouds on the water.  Carried.

(d) Modified shroud pull backs.  Unless the shrouds are pulled back from a position directly aft of the slide, and close to the deck, the purchase is less than 2:1. 
Moved Richard Spencer, seconded David Bretherton, that we propose a rule change to allow a turning block aft of the slide to ensure the purchase is always 2:1.  There should be a limit on the length of the pull back line.  Carried.

(e) Length of mainsheet strop.  
Moved Todd Blumel, seconded Dave Bretherton, that we propose changing rule C.2.3.(d) to eliminate the maximum length measurement for the mainsheet strop, and require only a minimum length of 240 mm.  Carried.

Interpretations. 
Moved Todd Blumel, seconded Dave Bretherton, that interpretation 31 be approved.  Carried.
Moved Todd Blumel, seconded Allan Johnson, that interpretation 32 be approved.  Carried.
Moved Todd Blumel, seconded Allan Johnson, that interpretation 33 be approved.  There was considerable discussion of this item.  Dave Bretherton said that he considers it is unsafe to remove the shroud stop in the heavy conditions that prevail in Australia, because the plastic end fitting cannot be relied on to stop the slide coming out of the track. Todd reported that Frank has agreed that shroud stops can be removed without compromising the design.  Carried.

Appreciation.
Todd Blumel was thanked for doing an excellent job as Chief Measurer.

8.  Proposal from ATC for a Technical Development Committee.  
Moved Chris Parkinson, seconded Todd Blumel, that we establish a Technical Development committee as proposed by the ATC, with a chair appointed by the World Council and members from each region.  The committee should have the authority to trial developments and report back to the World Council with recommendations.  Carried.
Moved Richard Spencer, seconded Todd Blumel, that with the approval of the World Council, special dues may be levied from the regions, as required, to pay for developments, experiments, trials, etc.   Carried.

9.  Sites for next World Championships. 
Chris Parkinson proposed Darwin, NT, Australia as the site of the next worlds, in July or August, 2005.  Approved.

The Darwin Worlds will be followed by: 
2007 - Japan or Europe
2009 - Europe or Japan
The normal sequence would have the 2007 Worlds in Japan.  Europe will hold the Worlds in 2007 if Japan is willing to delay holding a Worlds until 2009.  JTA will advise the World Council of their plans.

10.  Other business.  None

11.  Election of Officers.  The following were elected:
President - Chris Parkinson, President, ATC
Vice President - George Motoyoshi, President, JTA
Measurer - Dave Bretherton, NATA
Executive Secretary - Richard Spencer, NATA

The World Council thanked Cathy Sherwood for doing an outstanding job as President, and Todd Blumel for his great work, both as Chief Measurer, and as co-chair of the World's organizing committee.

Updated 2003-07-13

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