Minutes

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Held at Nea Iraklita, Kavala, Greece, 31 May at 10.00

 

1. Opening address

The Master’s President Andy Denison welcomed all the sailors to the 2023 Masters meeting 

2. Apologies-- there were no apologies.

 

3. President’s Report

The Masters President reported he has completed the visit to Punt Ala and will make the presentation available after the meeting. He was very positive about the changes that have been made and improved since we last held a Championships at Punt Ala. Expecting to need facilities for 300 boats with the potential for rubber matting on the beach. He expressed the importance of the initial visit.

Camping, Motorhomes pitches and the small chalets will be available for Finn Sailors to book from November 2023 - this is prior to the official opening of the camping facility.

Masters Europeans on Garda this year - some initial confusions have been dealt with to make the event practical

4. Election of Officers

Henk de Jager is due to stand down from the committee but has offered to continue as a Masters Committee member. His continued support was unanimously accepted by the membership.

5. Proposed Rule Changes to Masters Event Manual 2023
   a)Dates of the Championship

The President introduced the reasons for the Championship date changes. The Committee had discussed the reasoning behind the change and felt it would be beneficial to the future running of the event. He explained if the event is to be held in the Southern Hemisphere the date will most likely be in January

At a vote - 4 objections - motion carried.

b) Entry Fee penalties

The President explained the reasoning that the current rule of requiring doubling late entry fees is excessive as the cost of entry continues to increase. The change reflects current practice and gives the OA more breathing space when ordering supplies and shirts etc for changing the Masters ruling on entry fees to 

Fully completed entry forms and payments should be received no later than five (5) weeks prior to the event. After completing and sending the Entry Form the competitor agrees to pay the Entry Fee as defined in the NoR, however, only after receipt of payment is a competitor’s entry valid. Entries and/or payments received less than five weeks before the first race, will be charged a late penalty of €100. The OA may close entry one week prior to the regatta, but entries and/or payments received and accepted after this date will be charged a late penalty of €150. No shows without notification will be expected to pay the full entry fee before any entry will be accepted in future years. Late payments are at the discretion by the OA.

The proposal was carried unanimously. 

c) Bidding period for events

The President explained the current rule is too restrictive and the proposed amendment gave greater flexibility for lead times and longer-term planning.

Change to:

Nominations for a venue shall be sent to the Master’s President prior to February 1st up to three years before the desired year of the Championship. 

 Normally venue nominations can only be accepted three years in advance, but in special circumstances, a venue can be voted on further in advance. However, the venue proposal can only be heard, and voted on, on approval of the Masters Committee and if there is a majority in favour of this at the meeting.

The proposal was carried unanimously. 

A modified proposal from Bob Buchanan (AUS6) seconded by Steve Sampson (GBR) that Super Legends pay half the entry fees at World Masters (including Europeans) events. The proposal was carried (with 5 votes against).

6. Accounts/Budget

The President explained the current financial situation for the Masters, any losses incurred were mainly due to a shortfall on the magazine costs, reduced entries to the Europeans and World Masters, and the purchase of merchandising that will cover the next few years. However, increased income from the IFA to £5,000 offsets the deficit

7. Website and magazine

Website now has a series for micro sites to allow easy access to extra information and resource. IFA have now stopped the second edition of FinnFare, which will allow us to maintain the /Masters Magazine. 

8. Proposal to host the World Finn Masters in Brisbane Yacht Club in 2026

Phil Chadwick delivered a detailed presentation proposing Brisbane YC as the venue for the 2026 World Finn Masters. The intent would be to combine the event with the Australian Nationals, and Finn Gold Cup. This will enable sailors to participate in 3 events, that follow in close succession. 

A PowerPoint presentation is available on the Finn Masters Website.

Current Flag officers at Brisbane YC are Finn sailors and keen to support the event. The Club already has 38 Finns onsite. 

Expected Weather 32 degrees water is 27 degrees, expected 8-12 with sea breezes 15-20, this is a tropical sea breeze that is easy and not dense. Race area is around 30 minutes sail from the Club. A hotel and camping is available onsite, with three launching ramps. 

The Club is 20 minutes drive from Brisbane international airport. 

Shipping boats to Australia - expect to have some major sponsors - to help with shipping. Containers can be left onsite. 

At the vote - 2 against - the motion to attend the FWM in Brisbane in 2026 was carried. 

The Chairman conformed the Masters Europeans will be an easy access Central European Venue in 2026.

9. Date of next meeting

The date for the 2024 event in Punta Ala is likely to change and be in the second week on June 2024.

Meeting closed 10:30

Agenda

• Welcome
• Apologies
• Presidents Report
• Election of Officers

• Proposed Rule Changes to Masters Event Manual 2023

1. Dates of the Championship

Current Rule:

A 4      Dates of the Championship
4.1       The Championship will be held during the period of Whitsun.
4.2       The Practice Race will be on Whitsunday afternoon in the race area where the racing will take place.
4.3       The first race will be sailed on the Whit Monday
4.4       The last race will be sailed on the Friday following Whitsunday.
4.5       Other dates will only be considered after discussion with the Masters President.

Change to:

4          Dates of the Championship
4.1       The Championship will be held during June on dates agreed between the Finn Masters Committee and the Organising Authority.
4.2       The Practice Race will be on Sunday afternoon in the race area where the racing will take place.
4.3       The first race will be sailed on the Monday.
4.4       The last race will be sailed on the Friday.
4.5       Other dates will only be considered after discussion with the Masters President.

Reasons:
1. To provide flexibility to hold the event on the best dates to provide the best conditions. The weather is changing, and sometimes mid-May is too early for good conditions.
2. To provide consistency in dates so National Associations have more flexibility. The intention would be the second or third week of June, unless there is a good reason for other dates.
3. To move outside Whitsun week can significantly reduce costs, though this is a side issue and not always a factor. For example, this year many flights to Greece are prohibitively expensive (£1000+) instead of £100+ in other weeks simply because it is Whitsun Week.
4. Frequent requests to avoid Whitsun Week holiday for families

2. Entry Fee penalties

Current Rule

D 2.5 Fully completed entry forms and payments should be received no later than four (4) weeks prior to the event. After completing and sending the Entry Form the competitor agrees to pay the Entry Fee as defined in the NoR, however, only after receipt of payment is a competitor’s entry valid. Entries and/or payments received less than four weeks before the first race, will be charged 50% more. Entries and/or payments received after arrival will be charged double the entry fee. No shows without notification will be expected to pay before any entry will be accepted in future years. This rule may be varied in writing by the OA in exceptional circumstances.

Change to

2.5 Fully completed entry forms and payments should be received no later than five (5) weeks prior to the event. After completing and sending the Entry Form the competitor agrees to pay the Entry Fee as defined in the NoR, however, only after receipt of payment is a competitor’s entry valid. Entries and/or payments received less than five weeks before the first race, will be charged a late penalty of €100. The OA may close entry one week prior to the regatta, but entries and/or payments received and accepted after this date will be charged a late penalty of €150. No shows without notification will be expected to pay the full entry fee before any entry will be accepted in future years. Late payments are at the discretion by the OA.

Reasons

1. 50% and double entry fees were the policy when we paid €150 entry fee. Double entry then was €300. Those days are long gone but €700 is considered too high to encourage late arrivals.
2. Change from four to five weeks. This reflects current practice and gives the OA more breathing space when ordering supplies and shirts etc

3. Bidding period for events

Current Rule:

H 1. Nominations for a venue
1.1 Nominations for a venue shall be sent to the Master’s President prior to February 1st two years before the desired year of the Championship. 

1.5 Normally venue nominations can only be accepted two years in advance, but in special circumstances, a venue can be voted on three years in advance. However, the venue proposal can only be heard, and voted on, if there is a majority in favour of this at the meeting.

Change to:

1 Nominations for a venue
1.1 Nominations for a venue shall be sent to the Master’s President prior to February 1st up to three years before the desired year of the Championship. 

1.5 Normally venue nominations can only be accepted three years in advance, but in special circumstances, a venue can be voted on further in advance. However, the venue proposal can only be heard, and voted on, on approval of the Masters Committee and if there is a majority in favour of this at the meeting.

 Reasons
1. Allows organisers a longer lead time 
2. Provides national associations with more notice of the international programme
3. Allows longer term planning of international calendar alongside Open events (FGC, EC etc)

• Proposal from Bob Buchanan (AUS6) that Super Legends be exempt from paying entry fees at World Masters (including Europeans) events.

• Accounts/Budget
  Income received €13,571
  Expenditure €15,172
  Net loss of €1,601
  Loss caused mainly through Magazine shortfall and less entry fees than forecast (181 instead of 250). Some capital expenditure to last next 4-5 years
  However, IFA income now increased to £5,000

• Website and Magazine 
• Presentation Brisbane - Finn World Masters 2026
• AOB Received prior to meeting.
• Next venue update. Puntala
• Date and place next meeting. During FWM, Puntala, 2023.

Due to the cancellation of the 2021 Finn World Masters, the Annual Masters Meeting was held online through a Google Form. It was run from around 0900 UCT on Wednesday 26 May and closed after 12.00 UCT on Friday 28 May.

75 Finn Masters responded.

1. President’s Report

Good morning all,

It is with heartfelt thanks that I extend our sincere gratitude to Medemblik and Finn Club Holland for all the input given in attempting to host the Finn World Masters. Subsequent to the cancellation, the FWM committee unanimously decided to offer the 2025 Finn World Masters to Holland, in the hope that it would be third time lucky. We are pleased they have accepted our offer to host in 2025.

On behalf of the Finn World Masters we are also deeply grateful to the Spanish sailing authority and the province of Murcia for stepping in and hosting our championship later this year. We remain hopeful that this can go ahead.

Thank you all for being understanding. You can rest assured that the decisions taken have been guaranteed by the committee and our sole intent was in the interest of the Finn Masters. With this in mind, we will need to tweak our rules to accommodate any future pandemic/catastrophes. We set a task that was effectively a vote on the change for Mar Menor. By setting a target of 100 entries before this AMM, the fact that we had 124 entries on day two of the announcement, was enough for us to proceed.

I would like to welcome Phil Chadwick and Andreas Bollongino to the committee and extend my huge thanks to Philip Baum and Rolf Elsasser, for the time, effort and energy they given to us over many years. Fortunately, it’s not a departure from the class.

Congratulations to Greece and welcome to the new venue on the outskirts of Kavala for 2023 in this pretty unspoilt area of Nea Peramos. Once again, we look forward to the Greek hospitality and the opportunity to sample the fine delights.

The next big event is the Europeans at Thiany, which for a number of you, is a perfect stop off to the world championship. The sponsors and organisers of the Europeans have put a huge amount of effort into hosting the event and I hope that you take the opportunity to get together in large numbers and enjoy a fine regatta.

Hopefully, the world will start to get back to some form of normality and we can resume our business as usual. 

See you all soon.

Andy

 

2. Approval of the 2020 Minutes
The minutes from the 2020 AMM were approved: 70 approved with 5 abstentions.

3. Matters arising 
Q: Due to the loss of the Finn from the Olympics, to save the Gold Cup event it may now be necessary to combine it with the FWM. Will the Committee now re-consider this and find a way to make it successful?
A: This is primarily a concern for the IFA AGM and Council and not within the remit of the Finn Masters Committee.

4. Future events

The following Finn World Masters are confirmed:
2022: Helsinki, Finland
2023: Kavala, Greece (approved as only bid for 2023)
2024: Punta Ala, Italy
2025: The FWM Committee offered the 2025 FWM to Holland and this has been accepted.
The next available year is now 2026 and this will be voted on in 2024.

The following Finn European Masters are confirmed:
2022: Hospitalet, Spain (provisional TBC)
2023: Campione, Lake Garda, Italy
Both these were approved by the FWM Committee due to no proposal being presented before the two year deadline.
The next available year is 2024 and this will be voted on in 2022.

6. Election of officers 
Phil Chadwick and Andreas Bollongino will join the FWM Committee to replace Rolf Elsasser and Philip Baum
Approved by 72 with 3 abstentions

7. Accounts

FWM Income and Expenditure 2020

Summary
Despite the cancellation of the FWM 2020, a profit was recorded for the year, largely due to the generosity of Masters and FWM2020 sponsors. Travel restrictions also meant that upcoming venues were not visited.

Costs far exceeded income for the 2020 Magazine, so for the 2021 edition costs would be much reduced.

The 2020 IFA fee was €2500 and was received in two instalments.

The Finn Masters committee consider that a minimum reserve balance of £5000 is required to enable it to provide for activities and venue visits, so despite the tough year in 2020, we were able to build reserves slightly, ready for when we are able to travel freely again.

The accounts are now included in the IFA Annual accounting process and as such are audited at the same time.

Andy Denison

 

Opening Balance                        £2713.51

Income
IFA Fee            £2215.00
Event Fees*            £6045.90
Advertising            £1123.00
TOTAL            £9383.90

Expenditure
Travel            £130.00
Staff            £3347.71
Magazine**            £2533.50
Website            £238.50
Misc            £85.10
Bank Charges            £24.00
TOTAL            £6360.81

P/L for 2020                        £3023.09

Closing Balance                        £5736.60

8. Matters arising from the accounts

Q: Agenda item 7 should be entitled Cash Report and should contain a statement of opening balance, income and expenses, and closing balance with all details. This cash report should be prepared by an elected treasurer and approved by two auditors. An account sheet from a bank is of no value.

A: This has been addressed above

Q: Can we see detail behind the Accounts? What is expected to change in light of non Olympic status and when?

A: Masters accounts are unlikely to be changed by Olympic status

9. Rule Changes

9.1 Align Rules for FWM and FEM

Current situation: No rule

Insert

H.1.8 If there is no agreed venue and no proposals are presented to the Annual Finn Masters Meeting (AMM), within two years of the expected start, the location of the Finn World Masters may be decided by the Finn Masters Committee.

Reason

This allows the FWM Committee to seek and decide on a venue if there are no proposals two years in advance. Currently there is no solution if there are no proposals.

Passed: 75 approved (100%).

9.2 To allow President to make decisions in extreme circumstances

Current situation: No rule

Insert

A 1.6 In extreme circumstances (such as event cancellations) and only when required to maintain the continuance of the Finn Masters objectives and events, the President, in consultation with the FWM Committee, can make final decisions regarding any point in this Event Manual, so long as such decisions do not change Class Rules or RRS or significantly undermine the overarching principles of this Event Manual.

Reason

The last year has shown the need for the President, always in consultation with the FWM Committee, to take decisions that would normally be taken by the AMM, but because of the extreme situation, have had to be taken quickly and unilaterally.

Approved: 72 approved with 3 abstentions

10. Magazine
The Magazine more or less broke even this year, which was important after a significant drop in income. The FWM Committee would like to thank all those who sponsored adverts and allowed us to produce the eighth edition.

11. 2021 Events
The FWM Committee look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the 2021 European Masters, in Tihany and at the World Masters in Mar Menor in October.

12. Comment and feedback

1. Dear FWM Committee / President, Thanks a lot for keeping the ball rolling!

2. I wish to thank the committee for their excellent work - well done :-)

3. Thank you Robert an Andy for all the work done !

4. Difficult times well handled, many thanks.

5. My big thanks to Andy and his team. I respect the great work you all do for the class.

6. Thanks for all your work for the Finn Masters!

7. A vote of thanks to the Committee, out going committee members and incoming committee members in these difficult times. Greg Clark AUS 7

8. We need to accept Covid 19 vaccinated and Non vaccinated, whatever vaccine is used as the Russians, Hungarians and one Dutch man are all vaccinated with Sputnik V2.

The date of next AMM will be July 6, 2022, Helsinki, Finland