Minutes of the 2008 RS:X Class Annual General Meeting held at the Takapuna Boating Club, North Shore City, Auckland, New Zealand on January 16th from 1600hrs > 2100hrs.
1. Present:
Executive Committee
| Piotr Hlavaty (chair) | Senior Vice President | 1 |
| David Mead | Neil Pryde Representative | 1 |
| Rene Appel | Coach’s delegate | 1 |
| Olga Maslivets | Women’s Fleet Delegate | 1 |
| Nicolas Huguet | Men’s Fleet Delegate | 1 |
| Rory Ramsden | COO/Class Secretary | 1 |
2. Apologies
| Martin Aldridge | Treasurer |
| Rich Jeffries | ISAF Representative & Outgoing President |
| Aaron Botzer | Outgoing Vice-President |
| Mike Dempsey | Incoming President |
| Ben Barger | Incoming Vice- President |
3. Present
| AUS | Brendan Todd | 1 | IND | Ashutosh Tripathi | 1 |
| BEL | Pascal Peeters | 1 | ISR | Gur Steinberg | 1 |
| BRA | Eduardo Abad | 1 | ITA | Vicenzo Baglione | 1 |
| BUL | Kamen Fillyov | 1 | JPN | Tojhio Yamada | 1 |
| CAN | Zac Plavsic | 1 | KOR | Sang Dae Jung | 1 |
| COL | Camilo Marmol | 1 | LTU | Gintautas Bernotas | 1 |
| CYP | Costas Symeonides | 1 | NED | Jochem Brenninkmeijer | 1 |
| CZE | Petr Kucera | 1 | NOR | Sebastian Wang Hansen | 1 |
| DEN | Moses Lovstad | 1 | NZL | Grant Lynch | 1 |
| ESP | Kim Lythgoe | 1 | POL | Tomas Chamera | 1 |
| EST | Erik Luka | 1 | POR | Jose Gouveia | 1 |
| FRA | Pascal Chaullet | 1 | RUS | Victor Antonov | 1 |
| GBR | Barrie Edgington | 1 | SVK | Patrik Pollak | 1 |
| GRE | Takis Nikiforides | 1 | TPE | Alex Mowday | 1 |
| HKG | Rene Appel | 1 | TUR | Ilker Bayinder | 1 |
| HUN | Lorand Utassy | 1 | UKR | Olga Maslivets | 1 |
4. Minutes of the last meeting
4.01 The minutes of the 2007 Annual General Meeting were approved.
5. Reports
a) President’s Report
Piotr Hlavaty read a short report prepared from Rich “ First of all I want to say how sorry I am not in Takapuna to deliver this message personally. I have been with the RS:X since its introduction to the Test Events and I am proud to have been your President during the first Olympic Quadrennial. During the past few months since the combined worlds in Cascais, Portugal we have made some very important moves forward for the class and windsurfing as an Olympic sport We have…
- Developed, tested and approved a new construction process for the hull that will dramatically increase the quality of the board and reduce the tolerances. These new boards will be, and are, equal to the best boards being sailed today.
- Worked with COBRA and Neil Pryde to provide better foils. We realize that this is the one area where we can improve the product if the foils were of higher quality. To this end both Neil Pryde and an outside vendor have been given the challenge to produce for the class a better fin and then dagger board.
- Developed new and exciting graphics for the Olympic sails that we feel will greatly increase the visibility of the sailors in the Olympic regatta.
- Begun work on new board graphics for the Olympics and should be equally outstanding
In addition
- The one shot boards will have graphics different from the boards built under the old process
- Once the Olympic boards are built, those countries who have qualified for the Games will be given the opportunity to purchase one board each for their qualified woman and man so they can become comfortable on the one-shot board.
- I hope you have seen the new jig for measuring the fin and I hope that it is doing in the field what we had expected.
- You will learn who your next Class President will be and I look forward to handing the responsibilities of the Class over to that person.
I want to personally thank Rory who does most of the work for the class. Day in and day out Rory is working for all of you and he has made my job much easier. THANKS RORY
Look at our web page. At the European Championships in Turkey I approached Ben and one other person and asked them to put together a plan. We have more hits on our website then any other Olympic Class’s website
In November during the voting for the next Olympics, I was concerned going in (as every class was). But in the Events Committee we received only one less vote for support then the Lasers. And then at Council we were one vote behind again with the outcome for windsurfing never an issue.
Thank you Ralph Roberts and the Takapuna Yacht Club for continuing the tradition of the RS:X Class having great World Championships Events. Thanks Ralph and Penny.
My best to everyone and I truly wish I could be there.”
b) Treasurer’s Report (see Appendix 1 for financial statement)
Rory Ramsden delivered the treasurer’s report on behalf of Martin Aldridge and confirmed that the class had a credit balance of Euro 15,000 as of December 31st 2007.
Going forward the class will stage 2 championships in 2008 being the Europeans (May 1 -10) and the Youth Worlds (either in August in Sicily OR in Pattaya in December) The income from these two events should amount to Euro 16,000.
Therefore a total of Euro 31,000 will have to cover all expenditure and expenses through to the first major event of 2009. This should not be a problem if expenditure can be kept within existing limits.
c) Continental Representatives
Asia: Rene Appel The Class is growing in Asia with more younger sailors coming into the class.
Europe: Nicolas Huguet It is a pleasure to see competitors competing at high level from the Scandinavian countries. The class is keen to build on this base to develop vibrant RS:X national class associations in the region.
Oceania: Brendan Todd a Bic Techno class has been formed in Australia as a pathway for young windsurfers to develop the necessary racing tactics and board handling skills before they move up the RS:X Youth Division. The RS:X Class in New Zealand is developing.
South America: Eduardo Abad There are competitors racing here in New Zealand from Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Although in each country, the class is not big, the level of participation by South American athletes in high level events has increased since the days of IMCO. In Brazil, the class is developing by encouraging sailors from the Optimist class to join the RS:X Class.
d) Manufacturers Representative’s Report (see Appendix 2 for more)
David Mead confirmed that Cobra is working very co-operatively with NP to tighten production processes and specifications so much so that the tail kick tolerance on the new ‘one shot’ production of the hull is 0.5mm.
Hull
Both Nicolas Huguet in France and Rene Appel in Hong Kong have been involved in testing the pre-production ‘One shots’ on the water and it has been found that there is no difference in performance against the best performing ‘old style’ production hulls.
Also detailed measurement and comparison of the pre-production ‘one shots’ has taken place in Hong Kong and discussed with Cobra. This has resulted in templates being made for the rails of the hull to check thickness and rail profile in seven places on both sides of the hull.
Fin
A new steel mould has been made in which all fins will be produced from the end of January ’08. The shape has been taken from the original Vector fin used during the ISAF Test Events before selection was made in 2004. Templates have also been produced which will be used to check that production fins comply with the required tolerances. (one comment from the floor suggested that if Pre-Preg is used in the production of the fin that performance differences would be reduced to a minimum)
Centreboard
The centerboard will also be produced using a new composite mould from the end of January ‘08
Sails
Sails for use at the 2008 Olympic Regatta will all be cut from the same batches of cloth; by the same person and then stuck/sewn by the same girl in an effort to reduce differences to the minimum.
Olympic Equipment & Equipment for qualified Nations
All equipment will be measured in the factory and then set aside for ISAF inspection and approval prior to being shipped to Quing Dao. 75 sets will be sent. The graphics on the hull will be different from those on the existing hulls.
When the Olympic equipment has been set aside, the factory will then concentrate on producing a batch for sale to ISAF Member National Authorities with either one man or one woman or both entered to compete in the Olympic Regatta. These will all be made available at the same time so nations have an equal amount of time in which to train on the new ‘one shot’ equipment.
Production Manual & Event Measurement
There were several questions from the floor asking why the class had not published any event measurement data. It was explained that before the class could see any of the data in the production manual, the ISAF had required key personnel to sign a secrecy agreement. Current ISAF policy is to ensure that ‘in house certification is carried out by manufacturers of class equipment to ensure that it complies with the production manual tolerances. Event measurement is therefore reduced to a minimum and in effect requires the scrutineering of production marks and serial numbers before the equipment is signed off for use in the regatta concerned.
e) Youth Development
Piotr explained that a series of 3 regional regattas have been put in place involving countries with Baltic coast lines (EST, LAT, RUS, POL, GER & DEN) and encouraged other countries to work to establish similar series with their neighbours so that young sailors can gain experience without having to travel a long way.
6. Submissions
| # | Detail | Votes |
| 1 | That the newly elected members of the Executive committee should start their term of office on September 1st 2008 after the 2008 Olympic Games is over. | Withdrawn |
| 2 | Personal Equipment – Add to CR 3.2 – Timing Device and Heart Rate Monitor | Withdrawn |
| 3 | Class Rule F.1.2 a) The top and bottom sections of the mast spar from serial number 629545 (490 mast) and 629932 (520 mast) shall carry serial numbers as engraved by the licensed manufacturer in a readable condition. |
For 22 Against 6 |
| 4 | The class should raise its profile in the media by investing seed corn capital (see submission 5) in the RS:X World and European Championships | For 25 Against 2 |
| 5 | To raise this seed corn capital, the class shall sell to NP self adhesive IHC aluminium tags carrying the RSX Logo and a unique serial number which shall be placed on each item of equipment in the factory. The cost per tag per item shall be Euro 5 except for the sail where the cost shall be Euro 25. From January 1st 2010, equipment shall carry such tags to be class legal. The revenue shall be held in a separate account and be used exclusively for the promotion of the class in the media. | For 21 Against 9 |
| 6 | For The RSX World, European Championships, the class shall supply (costs included in the entry fee) self-adhesive national flags, which shall be worn in addition to ISAF Category C advertising. These national flags shall be worn back-to-back immediately above Batten #5. The final decision on size shall be taken at the 2008 European Championship | For 20 Against 8 |
| Submissions 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 dealing with amending the format were withdrawn after two meetings with the coaches who felt that the existing Olympic format worked well. | Withdrawn | |
| 12 | a) The minimum wind speed in which a race may be started should be 4 knots b) The time limit in which the first board shall pass the first mark should be 10 minutes NB. The meeting felt that the Class shall write to ISAF and express strongly that they wish to race at the same time and in the same conditions as other classes |
Withdrawn |
| 13 | The RSX class should maintain its existing policy of allowing an RC to shorten a course at a mark to give it more flexibility. | For 28 |
| 14 | Race scores to which penalty points have been allocated may not be discarded | Against 31 |
| 15 | Sailors should only be informed that they were OCS at the end of the race in question. | For 19 Against 11 |
| 16 | The Class may experiment with alternative scoring systems/ formats at its youth events | For 22 Against 4 |
| 17 | The class should introduce perpetual trophies for its major championships which should be engraved with World and Olympic Champions since 1984 | For 27 |
| 18 | Only sails built on or after 1st August 2006 (sails with serial # 200502259 or greater) may be registered for use in the 2008 European championship (version 3) | For 14 Against 12 |
| 19 | Only one set of results for the European Championship will be published which will include the limited number of non-European sailors | Against 16 For 7 |
| 20 | Only countries with entries in the women’s fleet may apply for wild cards for additional places in the men’s fleet in the RS:X World or European Championship | For 12 Against 9 |
| 21 | The class may find an alternative supplier for the RSX fin. Said supplier shall be able to produce consistently one design fins with durable performance characteristics at an affordable price | For 25 |
| 22 | The class should encourage the development of ‘Regional Youth Racing Series’ to promote youth racing whilst limiting the cost of taking part by staging combined events with the Bic Techno Class Association | Withdrawn |
| 23 | The 2009 RS:X Youth World Championship should be staged in Wimereux, Pas de Calais, France at the end of August | For 16 Against 2 |
| 24 | The 2009 RS:X Youth World Championship should be staged by the Kerteminde Sailing Club in Denmark | withdrawn |
| 25 | The 2009 RS:X European Championship should be staged by the Kerteminde Sailing Club in Denmark or in Wimereux, Pas de Calais, France if the Israel Yachting Association fails to sign the event contract presented by the RS:X Executive Office | Withdrawn |
| 26 | 2009 RS:X South American Championship should be staged in Buzios, Brazil | For 17 |
| 27 | 2009 RS:X North American Championship should be staged in San Francisco, USA based on the St. Francis Yacht Club | For 17 |
| 28 | 2010 RS:X European Championship should be staged in Sopot, Poland NB. The meeting felt that they preferred to reduce the number of combined regattas to a minimum although no formal vote was taken as no submission had been received and distributed as required by the Constitution |
For 23 |
| 29 | 2010 RS:X Youth World Championship should be staged in San Francisco, USA based on the St. Francis Yacht Club (July/August) | For 17 |
| 30 | 2010 RS:X World Championship should be staged by the Kerteminde Sailing Club in Denmark just after the Pre-Olympics in Weymouth. | Against 18 For 16 |
| 31 | 2010 RS:X World Championship should be staged in Paros, Greece | For 18 Against 16 |
| 32 | 2010 RS:X World Championship should be staged in Korea | Withdrawn |
| 33 | 2011 RS:X European Championships should be staged in Helsinki, Finland as part of the Olympic Classes Open European Championships’ | Deferred to 2009 AGM |
| 34 | 2012 RS:X World Championship should be staged in Buzios, Brazil provided that a satisfactory presentation of the proposed event is made at the 2009 AGM and that the LOA signs the contract | For 22 |
| 35 | Aaron Botzer was elected a life member of the class by 100% of the votes cast | For 25 |
| 36 | Rich Jeffries was elected a life member of the class by 100% of the votes cast | For 20 |
| 37 | Barbara Kendall was elected a life member of the class by 100% of the votes cast | For 25 |
Appendix 1 – Financial Statement
The International RSX Class Association Ltd
Financial Summary as at 31 December 2007
| Income | € | € | € | |
| Subscriptions and race fees | €105,737 | |||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Committee costs and expenses | ||||
| R Ramsden | 24,627 | |||
| R Jeffries | 21,618 | |||
| B Barger | 6,785 | |||
| 53,030 | ||||
| Bank charges | 843 | |||
| Company formation | 484 | |||
| Youth Worlds | 2,276 | |||
| Europeans | 798 | |||
| International Sailing Federatio | 240 | |||
| Less Provisions (below) | 29,526 | |||
| (87,197) | ||||
| Surplus income over expenditure | €18,540 | |||
| Represented By |
||||
| Funds held in Sterling & Euro Accounts | €48,066 | |||
| Less provisions for | ||||
| LOA of 08 Worlds | 16,351 | |||
| Sprint Signs (flags on sails) | 9,000 | |||
| LOA of Europeans 2007 | 2,000 | |||
| LOA of Asian Champs 2007 | 675.00 | |||
| Purchase of fins from Vendor ‘X’ | 1,500 | |||
| (29,526) | ||||
| €18,540 |
Appendix 2 – Neil Pryde Presentation to the 2008 RS:X Annual General Meeting
Objective of presentation :
To impart to the Class Association, sailors and coaches confidence that we have taken all necessary steps to ensure a fair Olympic Regatta for all athletes.
I don’t see any need at this time to cover sales qty’s or review the warranty rates again. The class know that progress has been made and at this point they only have one concern, that is how we will deliver equipment that guarantee’s them equal performance to their competitors in Qingdao.
Therefore our focus should be on the steps we have taken to achieve that, as follows -
1. One shot board production. A key technological advance made with our supplier to enable the RS:X to be built using a one step production method. This method means the boards foam core and all lamination layers are pressed and cured in one procedure while still in the mould. This is an essential advance over the previous method where multiple “hands on” steps and a two step lamination process led to variations in shape.
2. One shot boards were tested in France and the final trials in Hong Kong led to approval.
3. ISAF are advised of one shot approval.
4. Neil Pryde will no longer build boards using the original production method. One shot boards are in production from early January onwards with priority being given to Olympic production.
5. Dedicated Production Team and Line at Cobra
Cobra have picked a specialist team to produce the boards. The key production personnel now number only seven staff. This focus on the same staff performing the same process on each board will create consistency throughout the boards. Note, the qty of hand work on the one shot boards is far less than on the original production technology and this will remove a lot of opportunity for mistakes to be made.
6. Neil Pryde and Cobra have also reviewed areas “CTQ” (Critical to Quality) especially the production of the fins and dagger boards. Fins have been an area of special concern due to wide tolerance seen up to now. In order to control this key component of performance, we have invested in new alloy moulds (see photo). These are far more stable than the glass moulds used previously and will retain their shape in the long run due to the inherent stability of the alloy.
One mould will be used for production of the fins in future.
Secondly Neil Pryde and Cobra have developed a series of fin templates that measure the foil thickness and fore and aft position of this thickness.
Each fin (60 and 66cm) has two jigs, one made to min tolerance and one made to max tolerance. After production, each fin will be placed into the min tolerance jig. Should the fin be too thin at any single station there will be “play” and the fin will move around in the jig. The fin is therefore out of spec and will be discarded.
If the fin does not fully sit into the jig, the fin is above min tolerance and will then be tried in the “max tolerance” jig (see photo). If the fin sits into this jig at all stations then the fin is within tolerance and will be shipped. If the fin is to thick to fit into the jig at any one station then the fin is above max tolerance and will be discarded. (see photo of fin correctly seated into measurement jig)
This is a simple and highly accurate “Go / No Go” quality control check for all fins.
7. Daggerboard.
A new composite mould has been made for the dagger board. Note, an alloy mould is not required for this item due to the differences in the lay up as compared to the fins where more foam is used in the dagger boads where the fins are predominantly carbon structures. One mould will be used for dagger board production.
8. Olympic Production
-The closest 75 boards will be selected from a minimum stock of 110 boards. The measurement specs will be presented to the ISAF technical representative who will also check them and then make his selection of the boards.
-A production run of up to 300 masts is being built and the closest 75 masts in terms of weight and bend curve will be proposed to ISAF for selection as masts for Qingdao.
-75 booms will be selected from a total of 180 booms, again weight will be the determining factor.
-ISAF Technical Representative is due in Thailand and China end April to measure, check and select the equipment for the Games.
