INTERNATIONAL FINN ASSOCIATION
2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AGM was held at Fragila Vela Malcesine on Monday 16 May at 10.00
MINUTES
1. National Class Associations
21 National Class Association (NCA) and five voting members of the Executive Committee were represented at the meeting: Andy Denison (Chair), Robert Deaves, Paul McKenzie, Marc Allain des Beauvais, Andre Blasse. Attending in person were: AUS, AUT, BRA, DEN, ESP, FIN, FRA, GBR, GER, HUN, ITA, NED, POL, POR, RSA, SUI and SVK. Proxy votes were received from AUS, BEL, CAN, NZL, SVK and USA.
2. Minutes from the last meeting
The minutes from the 2021 IFA AGM were approved.
3. Accounts
The 2021 accounts and 2022 budget were presented and approved.
A discussion took placed around the financial situation, whether the subscription needed to be reviewed. It was stated that the financial position of the class was very strong after two years of budgeting and low expenses, and that a modest reduction of income of around 20 per cent was expected in the coming years. However, no change should be made until there is a much clearer position. It was hoped that by making events open, rather than based on quota, that member associations would maintain their current level of membership rather than report less members. If that happened, then both subscriptions and open events would need to be reviewed.
4. Executive Committee Reports
In the absence of the President, Balazs Hajdu, Andy Denison chaired the meeting and represented the President’s report with his apologies for not attending due to health reasons.
Other reports were available in advance online and not presented at the meeting.
The Chairman of the Technical Committee gave a brief report to emphasize the proper process for rule changes and presented to the room a prototype of a composite centreboard to illustrate that process and how it needs proper testing and evaluation before a rule change is even contemplated.
5. Bids for Major Championships
The meeting gave approval to host the 2023 Open Europeans – Procelero SE, Lake Balaton, Hungary.
There was wide discussion around whether the class ca still support four major championships each year and this will be reviewed by the Executive Committee. Hence, the Executive Committee will finalise this review before a confirmation is given to Procelero SE.
It was stated that the current policy was not to make any major changes within two years and then review.
6. Submissions
6.1 Submissions from the IFA Executive a) Flags on sails, Rule C.10.3
Current Wording:
When required by the Notice of Race, a skipper’s national flag, corresponding to the national letters, of nominal size 740 x 443 mm, shall be applied to each side of the sail, positioned such that the aft edge of each flag is between 50 and 100 mm from the leech and the upper edge is between 50 and 100 mm below the second lower batten pocket. The flags shall be made from additional material. Permanent ink pens or similar shall not be used to make the national flags.
Option (i) passed with 67.6% of the vote (23 out of 34 votes cast)
Decision: Delete C.10.3 and accompanying diagram.
It was suggested that this rule could be re-invoked in future events by inclusion in the Notice of Race.
Reasoning: This Rule was intended for use at FGC, EC, World Cup and WS Events. It does not apply at Masters events or any other event. Currently it would only be used at FGC and EC. If a sailor decides to attend one of these events they have to also buy and place flags at extra expense. The recent survey was 63% in favour of deleting the Rule.
b) Pumping, Rule A6.2 and C.1.1(2)
Current Wording
A.6.2 The Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions may state a higher recommended windspeed of 12 kts for rule C.1.1(2).
C.1.1(2) The Finn Class recommends that race committees apply Rule C.1.1 (1) in winds of 10 knots and above, measured at deck level on a race committee boat at the windward mark. See also A.6.2.
Options (i) was approved by 23 votes from 30 cast
Decision: No change
c) Policy for format of group racing
Current position: No current position.
Options: (i) was approved by 25 votes out of 27 cast
Decision: Random groups to mirror what happens in Masters. Full fleet series with no final/deciding race.
Reasoning: When fleet sizes are too large for a single fleet, the Masters have opted for a group system worked out on daily randomised group selection. However this does not provide a final/deciding race so the leading contenders could find themselves not racing against each other on the final day. The survey indicated 47% in favour of random groups and 32% in favour of gold/silver fleets after 3 days.
d) Open Entry
Current position: No specific wording to allow for open entry
Add to A15:
A15.4 In conjunction with the Organising Authority, the IFA Executive Committee may permit open entry at any IFA Major Championship. In such case, A15.1 and A15.2 do not apply.
Approved by 33 votes out of 33 votes cast.
Reasoning: The intention is to maximise entries for major championships and there is no official mechanism for this. The 2022 events have been made open entry under Constitution A 3.4.3 as an exceptional circumstance, but ‘exceptional’ cannot be every year.
e) Event Manual – 2023 edition
Approval of additional changes to Event Manual (see draft attached), which includes reducing costs for organisers, removal of Olympic clauses, and clarification on some points.
Approved unanimously, no objections.
6.2 Submissions from the British Finn Association (see attachment)
a) Add the following to IFA Constitution 3.5.1.
No person should be eligible for nomination as a candidate for the office of President if he/she has held that office for the immediate preceding continuous period of eight years, nor for the office of a Vice-President if he/she has held that office for the immediate preceding continuous period of eight years.
Reasoning: Most sports governing bodies now include such a condition in their governance, including World Sailing, Sport England and the IOC. The IFA should incorporate current best practice in order to maintain World Sailing International Class recognition and meet governance requirements for future potential funding or sponsorship applications.
Approved by 30 votes from 32 cast.
b) Add the following to Part B of the IFA Constitution.
4 Sustainability Officer
The Executive Committee shall appoint a Sustainability Officer to enact and oversee the IFA sustainability strategy, in order to communicate and coordinate with the Executive Committee, NCAs and event organisers to address sustainability issues and ensure best practice at all IFA recognised events.
Reasoning: The IFA sustainability policy requires further development and implementation across all IFA activities and hence requires an allocated advocate and campaigner to ensure it is a priority at IFA and NFA events.
Approved by 27 votes from 28 cast.
6.3 The paper from the French Finn Association was discussed.
Submission 1: Reducing the mast weight by 500g was unanimously rejected without a formal vote. Submission 2: It was pointed out that combining Masters events should firstly pass the Masters AMM.
6.4 Submission from Polish Finn Association
To maintain Executive position of Vice President Special Projects – Nomination received for Andrzej Romanowski (POL)
Approved unanimously
6.5 Submission from Finn Club Holland
To remove the role of Finance and Membership Secretariat and only have an Hon Treasurer
Reasoning: Whilst we understand the Executive Committee has made what they believed were the best decisions at the time, we do not think that paying a salary of €12,000 for the tasks of a Finance Secretary is sustainable for IFA now it is no longer an Olympic class, or wanted by the wider membership. Therefore, we propose that we no longer need the paid Finance Secretary role and just have a Hon Treasurer.
Rejected by 15 to 14 votes from the 29 cast
7. Elections of Members to IFA Committees
7.1 To elect the members of the Executive Committee:
President – In the first round votes received were: Denis Mowbury (NZL) - 1, Rob McMillan (AUS) - 14, Luca Devoti (ITA) - 7, John Heyes (GBR) - 13.
In the second round Rob McMillan (AUS) - 22, John Heyes (GBR) - 9
Rob McMillan was declared the new President
The VP Sailing – Kristian Sjøberg (FIN)
The VP Development – Marc Allain des Beauvais (FRA)
The Treasurer – Nomination withdrawn
Chairman of the Technical Committee - Tim Tavinor (GBR)
Vice President Special Projects - Andrzej Romanowski (POL)
7.2 No change to the Technical Committee
7.3 No change to the Marketing Committee
8. AOB
A report was presented from the organisers of the 2023 Finn Gold Cup in Miami regarding opportunities for charter and shipping and further details will be published on the event website in the near future.
RD 30/5/22
