In the new (116-m) room YR we publish an interview with the President of the World Sailing by Kim Andersen, who took the time to answer our questions regarding the latest actions of the WS.
Here is a small excerpt from that interview:
Yacht Russia: Recent decisions of the Council of World Sailing has caused a large number of questions, doubts and rumors. Could You comment on the situation and talk about possible solutions to the problems?
Kim Andersen: In its December letter, I explained in detail all the processes that took place during the Council meeting and why certain decisions were made.
Sorry, we can’t help with the rumors that complicate and already difficult situation. But we will not change the decisions taken at the General meeting.
Voting remains, despite the fact that some people are questioning 75% of the votes in the Council. We have carefully checked what happened and what was voted at the meeting. We are unable to assess what was the mood of the people before or after the vote. The vote in Council remains in force, and it was approved by a clear majority at the General meeting.
YR: When the conversation began about the introduction of a new discipline “offshore racing” it was clear that she may appear only by replacing one of the existing. Why a victim of this “conspiracy” began Finn, one of the most traditional and respected classes?
K. A.: It’s a very difficult question. At the Council meeting and at the General meeting in 2017, a decision was taken to ensure gender equality. Not only number of participants but also in the disciplines. So Council members decided to hold the event 4 mixed. It became clear during the semi-annual meeting last may.
From the moment they discussed the formats of selected disciplines and classes, which will have to pass the competition. Personally, I think that materiel must be identical, for example “Laser” in men and “Laser radial” in women. With “Finn” this does not work, because the girls have to pick up another class dingy. In a mixed discipline young men and women should train together.
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YR: This question is closely related to gender equality in sport. As far as we know, this idea comes from the IOC, which was announced by all international federations. Is the introduction of the equality should hold in a revolutionary way? Is it not possible to do it gradually?
K. A.: This is a very important question. I always say that WS needs to make their own decisions that are important for sailing. And only after that to focus on the rules of the IOC. But the IOC and not tells us what to do. He only gives recommendations. We are not obliged to follow the agenda of the IOC for 2020, although it is a good agenda For each sport work to improve the gender balance is the key to how to stay relevant as a sport and to be attractive to young people.
If you look at the numbers, the largest number of young people leaving sport at the age of 14 years, then in high school and in University. This is directly related to changes in life. But it is obvious that when the gender ratio of 80 to 20 percent, throwing the sport much more than in the ratio of 50: 50.
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Full version of interview read in the paper the number of the YR, which will go on sale on February 26.
