IMCA WORLD COUNCIL AGM REPORT
INTRODUCTION - Sixteen national and international officers of the IMCA attended the 2002 IMCA World Council AGM, held during the World Championship in Travemuende. Also present were Harry Melges, Andy Burdick and Jim Schwerdt representing the builders of the class and IMCA Press Officer Fiona Brown and Technical Advisor David Chiver.
The meeting opened with a brief report from each of the national classes. Despite the political and economic uncertainties of the past 12 months the class has continued to grow steadily.
The US has seen a down turn in attendance as people are currently unwilling to travel far from home but new boat sales have been consistent and the class is beginning to achieve the improvements in it’s internal management that USMCA President Hal Pickering has been working towards.
Despite the loss of their sponsor in the wake of 11 September the French class has continued to thrive and attendances in France remain excellent. Henri Samuel (FRA) reported that Jean Sans has now been elected Chairman and they have appointed a professional secretary.
The Scandinavian classes have seen steady growth and Sweden now has its own class association. Nils Hauff (NOR) reported that the Scandinavian fleets are working closely together to provide excellent ranking racing and ensure that the forthcoming Helsinki European and Marstrand Worlds both fulfil their potential.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Keith Musto (IMCA Secretary/Treasurer) presented the financial report for 2001/2. He particularly drew the meeting’s attention to the cost of rescheduling the 2001 Worlds to Key West which was approx £8,000. Although the class had the reserves to handle this every effort has been made to trim budgets in other areas to compensate. The meeting discussed options for reducing costs and increasing income.
It was agreed that greater efforts must be made to encourage membership update, particularly in the US where a relatively small number of owners join the class.
It was also agreed that the cost of producing and distributing M24 would be reviewed in the hope of identifying possible savings.
Finally it was proposed and unanimously agreed that the individual membership fee paid to the IMCA from each national class membership will be increased from £25 to £50 with effect from October 2003.
The financial report, annual costs and budget forecast were all unanimously accepted.
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
Fiona Brown reported that the new format of M24 magazine has proved extremely successful and will be continued for 2003. The web site is now running very effectively and is regarded as one of the best international class web sites. One of the only things restricting the content of the magazine and web site is the lack of contributions from members, both written and photographic. All members of the World Council were asked to assist in this area.
Although attempts to locate a global sponsor have continued this year the class has not been successful to date. The class has been more successful in obtaining individual event sponsors and particular note was made of the sponsors who stepped up at the last minute to sponsor the Key West Worlds. Every effort will be made to bring new sponsors to the class in the coming year.
Although costly to the class Key West proved to be a marketing coup bringing a very high level of international coverage and awareness. Unfortunately efforts to generate a similar level of interest through Travemuende have not produced an equivalent result, particularly in Germany where coverage remains poor.
Looking to the future plans to promote both the Helsinki Europeans and the San Francisco Worlds are already well underway. Web pages for both will be going up by early September and advance marketing to the class has begun in Travemuende with info flyers, etc. Both Key West and SNIM will be directly covered by the web team in 2003 and obviously every effort will be made to obtain good reports and coverage from all other events.
Links with the European builder to help promote the class have continued to be poor during 2002 and it is hoped that the appointment of a new builder will bring a considerable improvement in this situation.
TECHNICAL REPORT
David Chivers presented the Technical Report. 2001/2 had been a relatively quiet year with few major queries arising. The only problem of note was the question of hull fairing which has been addressed and appropriate guidance published on the web site.
Henri Samuel advised that Jean Sans is willing to stand as a member of the Technical Committee. Jean has extensive technical knowledge and experience and will be a welcome new addition.
David advised that as yet no American representative for the Technical Committee had been put forward and Hal was asked to attempt yet again to find a US member willing to take on this task.
BUILDER REPORT
Harry Melges reported that new boat interest in the US is extremely high at the moment. They had originally anticipated building 15 boats this year but are looking to increase this.
Harry also confirmed that every effort is being made to appoint a new European builder as quickly as possible. They have received a number of proposals and have several meetings with possible builders scheduled while they are in Travemuende. Harry confirmed that every effort is being made to have a new European builder in place in time to deliver boats for spring 2003.
The meeting proposed a special vote of thanks to Jim Schwerdt for his contribution to the marketing and support of the class in the face of a chronic lack of support from Rowen Composites. Despite the problems Jim has continued to work for and support the class in every way he can since Rowen pulled out as European builder.
NATIONAL CLASS ASSOCIATION SUBMISSION
The Swedish Class proposed a change to Constitution Rule 10.2 covering voting rights. They proposed that the voting be changed to 1 vote per association (currently 1 vote for every 5 boats). There being no seconder for this proposal it was defeated.
The Norwegian Class proposed that the duration of Continental Championships (Europeans and North Americans) be reduced to three days racing. Following considerable discussion no seconder was found for this proposal and it was defeated.
PROPOSED RULE CHANGES
NEW RULE. C.3.17.
A proprietary hatch not exceeding 220mm in internal diameter may be fitted to the cockpit floor to allow access to the rudder and backstay fastenings.
REASON: To allow easy access to check the security of the fastenings. At present this requires a crewman to crawl down the back of the boat in a very confined space. The cost is negligible. Many had already been fitted to boats in the US before the original rules were drafted. The rule would have been included if known. This rectifies the situation.
This rule was voted in unanimously.
NEW RULE. C.3.18.
A watertight drain bung may be fitted in the transom.
REASON: To allow the boat to be washed through and drain more easily by raising the bow. The cost is negligible.
This rule was voted in unanimously.
NEW RULE. C.3.19.
The shrouds, vang and recess for the furler drum may be covered by protective covers to prevent water ingress and abrasion.
REASON: The spinnaker can easily snag and tear on the shrouds and vang and in rough water the furler drum recess allows water into the boat. It would be an improvement at negligible cost.
This rule was voted in unanimously.
EXISTING RULE. C.5.2.
Corrector weight.
Shall not exceed 20kg.
Shall be of lead.
Shall be equally divided fore and aft and fixed in the locations shown on the measurement diagram.
Shall be entered on the certificate.
May only be altered after the boat has been re-weighed by an official measurer.
Shall not be altered more than once every 12 months.
NEW RULE. C.5.2.
Corrector weight.
Shall not exceed 20kg.
Shall be of lead.
Shall be equally divided fore and aft and fixed in the locations shown on the measurement diagram. The aft corrector weight on the fore side of the bulkhead, may be split equally port and starboard to allow the placement of a cool box.
Shall be entered on the certificate.
May only be altered after the boat has been re-weighed by an official measurer.
Shall not be altered more than once every 12 months.
NOTE: the diagram will be altered to show the aft corrector weight on the fore side of the bulkhead.
REASON. To allow a measurer at an event to easily check corrector weights without having to climb into the boat and look on the aft side of the bulkhead. This is very difficult and time consuming. Originally the weights were on the aft side to allow a cool box. However, splitting the weight port and starboard solves this problem.
This rule change was voted in unanimously.
TRIAL RULE.
ZIP LUFF JIB. This rule was placed on the IMCA web site as a trial rule at last years AGM and it must now be discussed further. Some trials have taken place and it must be decided whether to continue with further trials or to formally submit the details as a rule change.
Concerns were raised that sailors could use the zip system to change the shape of the sail and enhance performance. Following discussion it was agreed that correct wording of the rule would prevent this and it was unanimously agreed that the Zip Luff Jib should become a permanent rule.
David Chivers was asked to draft the final rules and organise their submission to ISAF for approval.
FUTURE EVENTS
The forthcoming international programme was discussed. 2003 events are already well underway and promotion of these has begun.
The Swedish class were asked to urgently confirm to the IMCA Executive which club they wished to host the 2004 Marstrand Worlds.
The French Class presented a proposal to host the 2006 Worlds in Hyeres on the French Mediterranean coast. Hyeres is a highly regarded international regatta venue and with the added attraction of good conditions, readily available accommodation and plenty to entertain shore based supporters it was agreed that this proposal should be accepted.
As a matter of extreme urgency Hal Pickering was asked to obtain proposals for the 2004 North Americans, the 2005 Worlds and the 2006 North Americans. It was also recommended that the US Class begin looking at options for the 2007 Worlds. Various possible venues were discussed and Hal was asked to put forward the US Class proposals to the Executive Committee as soon as possible.
It was agreed that the 2005 Europeans should ideally be held in Southern Europe. An outline proposal to host the event has already been submitted by the UK Class but Jim Schwerdt confirmed that the UK Class would be happy to withdraw their proposal if a good southern Europe alternative could be found. Egidio Babbi was asked to look at possible venues on the Italian coast and report back to the Executive Committee.
The outline international events programme through to 2006 is as follows:
2003
Europeans - Helsinki, August
Worlds - San Francisco, October
2004
North Americans - USA or Canada - TBA
Worlds - Marstrand, July/August
2005
Europeans - Italy or UK,
TBA Worlds - USA - TBA
2006
North Americans - USA - TBA
Worlds - Hyeres, France, date TBA
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Tomi Hakola proposed that the Executive Committee be expanded to make it easier for a quorum to be formed when face to face meetings were necessary. The Executive Committee is currently formed of a Chairman, a Secretary/Treasurer (these two posts have both been held by Keith Musto since the classes inception), a Vice Chairman Europe and a Vice Chairman North America. In addition Fiona Brown acts as minute taker and administrator to the Executive Committee and David Chivers attends meetings at Technical Advisor.
It was proposed that the Executive Committee be expanded to include the following posts:
Chairman
Vice Chairman – Europe
Vice Chairman – North America
Secretary
Treasurer
3 x Members (to include representatives from both North American and Europe)
The proposal was seconded by the German Class and passed unanimously.
The following members had been proposed to the Executive Council of The IMCA.
Chairman or Vice Chairman (Europe) - Henri Samuel & Nils Hauff Vice
Chairman (North America) - Hal Pickering
Vice Chairman or Members (Europe) - Tomi Hakola & Gunter Tzeschlock
The result of the vote was as follows:
Chairman - Henri Samuel (56 votes)
Vice Chairman (Europe) Nils Hauff (40 votes)
Vice Chairman (USA) - Hal Pickering (Unanimous)
Member (Europe) - Gunter Tzeschlock (25 votes)
Member (Europe) - Tomi Hakola (6 votes)
In addition Hal Pickering was asked to obtain a proposal from the US Class for a Member (North America).
Following the election Keith Musto advised the meeting that he would be resigning as Secretary/Treasurer of the Class. Keith has worked in this role since the inception of the class and a special vote of thanks was proposed to mark the enormous contribution Keith made in setting up the class administration and finances.
Henri Samuel asked Keith if he would be willing to continue as Secretary/Treasurer for a short period to allow suitable successors to be found and Keith agreed to continue until the beginning of September.
In addition Henri asked outgoing Chairman Tom Freytag if he would be willing to continue in his role as Chairman for the duration of the Worlds as Henri was unable to be in Travemuende for the event. Tom confirmed that he would be happy to do so.
A further vote of thanks was made to Tom Freytag, the inaugural Chairman of the IMCA for all his work in helping to set up the class.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
TRADE MARK ISSUES
Keith raised the question of trademark issues and the need to obtain approval from Melges Performance Sailing for any use of the Melges 24-trade mark. Harry confirmed that he had been contacted concerning the use of the trademark for a computer sailing game by Henri Samuel and that MPS had given their permission for it to be used.
Henri outlined the nature of the game and confirmed that it will be available from September. Once details of how to obtain the game are known Henri will pass them to Fi so they can be published on the web site and in the magazine.
NEW EVENTS
Henri advised the meeting that the French Melges 24 Class is involved with setting up a new event, the “Coupe De France, which will be a team event featuring Mumm 30s, Dragons and Melges 24s with racing organised by the Yacht Club de France in St Tropez in early April.
Keith Musto also advised that they had received a proposal from Farr International who are looking to organise a “Nations Cup” which will also be a team event but featuring Farr 40s, Mumm 30s and Melges 24s. This event will take place in the fall.
It was agreed that both events would provide excellent promotional opportunities for the class and the timing of both ensures that there will be no conflict of interest.
NEXT MEETING
The date and time of the 2003 AGM will be discussede by the Executive Committee.