The Owners’ Working Group has been formed to provide Australian Sailing a consultative group through which it can engage with owners of keelboats around Australia.

Australian Sailing has a long standing and ongoing role to act as the local office for two rating systems: IRC and ORC. The role requires refined relationships with the owners of yachts making use of this service and with the clubs that conduct races under these rating systems.

At a recent Board meeting, a decision was made to improve Australian Sailing’s engagement with boat owners to canvas opinion and provide guidance on issues of interest to them. Whilst not limited to these, issues of immediate interest are rating and measurement rule changes, insurance, participation levels and the format of key championship events.

The formation of the Owners’ Working Group will elevate engagement with owners of rated yachts. The Group is initially chaired by Shevaun Bruland, a Director of Australian Sailing based in SA, and its membership consists of Noel Cornish AM and Matt Donald in NSW, Bruce Taylor and Jason Close in Vic, Craig Carter in WA and Ed Psaltis in Tas. All members of the Group have demonstrated extensive commitment to the sport and have invested years of their time in keelboat racing. Most have also played senior roles in clubs or other committees.

The Owners’ Working Group had their first meeting just prior to Christmas. The meeting covered the Australian Yachting Championship and what shape and schedule it might take in 2021, and prioritised planning how to interact with owners as the focus for the next meeting, scheduled for early February. To provide input to the Owners’ Working Group please email technical@sailing.org.au.

For information on ratings visit our Ratings homepage.

For information on the Australian Yachting Championships go to the event website.