Scorching Start to ISAF Sailor

On Friday 1 March 2002, ISAF launched the completely new and interactive, web-based ISAF Sailor. In its first 15 hours – 09.00 GMT to 23.59 GMT – sailors representing 30 countries had already registered to ISAF Sailor.

Well done and thanks for supporting ISAF Sailor – keep it going!

What is ISAF Sailor?
ISAF Sailor is a unique and complimentary service offering a broad range of continually evolving services.

ISAF Sailor is aimed at sailors across the spectrum – whether you be Olympic sailors or aspirants, international, national or club level sailors, or those of you just interested in being informed about the world of sailing.

ISAF Sailor uses a powerful new database, which will expand as services evolve, and provide a fast, efficient and secure system. This database brings a number of features, which will make ISAF Sailor a ‘one stop’ site for all.

Professional or Amateur?
Are you planning to compete in an event that limits the number of professionals participating – then the Sailors’ Classification is for you. Apply online and receive an immediate response as to your professional or amateur classification, which will then be automatically published on the ISAF website. After November 2002, the ISAF Sailors’ Classification will become the one classification system used internationally.

Online Biographies
Just what we have all been waiting for … the ISAF Sailor biography will enable you to create and update your biography – including general interest, images, results – it will all be there with you in control as to how much or little you tell the rest of the world. ISAF Sailor will provide the definitive biography, whether you are an Olympic aspirant or your local club hero, updated and maintained by sailors.

Once registered as an ISAF Sailor you can search for any registered sailor’s biography. A great resource for all of us, not least the media.

Those sailors competing in ranked events for the Olympic Classes and Match Racing events will have their results drawn into their biography direct from the rankings system.

If you are not a ranked sailor, no problem, you can enter your results, whether it is world championship or club level. Sailing on a multi-crewed boat, then let the world know what you were doing – whether it be tactician, navigator, grinder, helm or any other role – and on what boat. Want to promote your sponsor – we can help you by including your sponsor’s logo and website link within your ISAF Sailor Biography.

There is no doubt that the ISAF Sailor Biography will enthuse newcomers and young sailors in the sport, by enabling them to read firsthand about the sailors that are their heroes and inspire them, and find out what or who has impacted most on their sailing career and why they have chosen sailing as their sport.

The Mini-biographies will allow ISAF Member National Authorities, Classes, Event Organisers and others to publish a ‘précis’ of the ISAF Sailor Biography on their website, with the link to the full biography.

Newsletters and News
Want to know what is going on in the world of sailing – then sign up to receive newsletters. You have a choice. You can subscribe to the official Newsletter of ISAF ‘Making Waves’, receive the world rankings immediately they are released, subscribe to class newsletters, national authority newsletters or ISAF affiliated organisations, such as the International Foundation for Disabled Sailing.

If you are at the cutting edge of technology, then ISAF will soon be able to bring you news via your WAP (wireless application protocol) mobile phone.

Events – Who is this Sailor?
Fantastic, ISAF President Paul Henderson has just won the 2.4 Metre Worlds(!) – but what else has he done? How do I find out? Easy, no need to search around, link on his biography from the event results page. Or, just in case Paul hasn’t really won the 2.4 Metre Worlds, but you want to view his biography, click on the link below!!

ISAF will be working with event organisers to enable them to provide a link to a sailor’s biography from results. For an example of how this can work, have a look at the results from Sail Melbourne via the link below and then click on the winning sailors’ names.

Media Office
Whether you be media or event organiser – use ISAF Sailor to transmit information to each other. Let the media tell you what they need, let the event organiser provide it. No need to register on individual event websites to receive event information, the ISAF Media Office will allow you to subscribe to receive a variety of news and event reports in the format of your choice.

Got an Opinion?
Let’s hear it. Have your say on the ISAF Sailors’ Forum. Express your thoughts on sailing, find our more about your favourite sport, discuss issues as they evolve, get feedback. The ISAF Sailors’ Forum is there for you – we want to hear what you have to say. With regular monitoring by ISAF Committee Members – you will receive comment direct from those representing you at ISAF.

And More ….

Coming soon will be the following services, and more…

ISAF Image Library – will soon be online to provide an invaluable resource of images of events and sailors around the world. The image library will aim to support and promote events and sailors, as well as the photographers who take the images. Are you a professional photographer and want to publish your images on the ISAF website. We will give you access to upload your images and link to your website.

Doping – ISAF works alongside the IOC and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and in this respect undertakes dope testing for elite level sailors. It is not ISAF’s aim to undertake any form of testing for recreational sailors. ISAF Sailor will soon allow you to declare your competition level and apply for ISAF dispensation (this does not include the Olympic Games) for any prohibited medications that you are required to take for medical reasons.

Screensavers – getting bored of your Windows screensaver – we can help by emailing you the latest screensaver depicting images from the sailing world. Just interested in multihulls, offshore, match racing, Olympics – there will be screensavers for all. Subscribe to ISAF Sailor and take your pick.

WAP News – get the latest news instantly via your mobile phone. The ISAF WAP News service will be coming to a phone near you soon.

Online event entry – once registered as an ISAF Sailor you will soon be able to enter events online using your ISAF Sailor ID. ISAF is currently working with event organisers to facilitate this service.

And there will be more services evolving. As a registered ISAF Sailor, you will be kept informed of all services provided by ISAF Sailor.

Need Help?
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions and Need Help page. Have you got an idea of another service ISAF should provide, then tell the ISAF Sailor Support Team on isafsailor@isaf.co.uk. ISAF Sailor is for you – let ISAF know what you think.

ISAF Sailor is a secure interactive service, allowing you to manage your profile and the services to which you subscribe.

ISAF encourages all to register to ISAF Sailor. ISAF Sailor is a completely complimentary service. Make use of as many or as few of the ISAF Sailor services as you wish – it is there for you.

Welcome onboard!