International Measurer

Measurers are specialists whose function is to check sailing equipment against the relevant rules (class or rating rules).

World Sailing appoints officials to perform certain functions at the top level of the sport and the International Measurer (IM) is one of these officials groups.

The main purpose of having IMs is, first and foremost, to ensure that qualified specialist race officials will lead the equipment inspections/event measurements at major Class or World Sailing events. This is reflected in the World Sailing Regulations: Class obligations in 10.5(g) (v), and IM appointment requirements in 31.13. Other official functions of IMs include prototype measurement for those Classes that apply this system for their boat builders, and Class involvement as per World Sailing Regulation 10.5(g) (v): in many cases, the chief measurer of a Class is an IM of that Class.

All IMs are specialists in one or more Classes (the term “class” includes rating systems) with excellent knowledge of

1. the relevant class rules and
2. certification measurement and high level inspection methods & techniques.

Additionally, all IMs who have been through the current seminar/testing system can be thought of as “ERS-certified”, which means they have been trained to both measure and inspect equipment that follows the ERS, no matter which Class they are appointed for as IMs.

Definitions

• Certification Measurement or Measurement: Measurement of new or modified equipment, to certify it (verify its compliance with the rules) is called certification measurement or simply measurement.
  
• Event Measurement or Equipment Inspection: Measurement of equipment at sailing events to check use of equipment and verify that ‘certified’ equipment is still in compliance with the rules is called event measurement or equipment inspection
• Official Measurers or Measurers: Measurers which perform certification measurement are called official measurers or simply measurers. They work for a certification authority (National Authority or a Class).
• Event Measurers or Equipment Inspectors: Measurers which perform event measurement are called event measurers or equipment inspectors. They work for the Race Committee.

The normal pathway for IMs is to start from their MNA and/or Class system (“national measurers”) to get the necessary experience and basic knowledge about “measurement”, and progress to the World Sailing appointment when both their knowledge and experience in event measurement/inspection reach a high level.

Most IMs today are also what the ERS defines as official measurers, but only when they are appointed as such by their MNAs or Classes, and not because of their IM title. And since they are considered as top level measurers, many IMs play an important role in their MNA technical systems as well.

As with all World Sailing race officials, the conduct of IMs at events is regulated by the World Sailing Race Officials Code of Conduct and the Conflict of Interest guidelines.

The current IM training and testing scheme is designed -among other things- to provide IMs with the necessary level of knowledge about:

• ERS and their practical application including certification measurement techniques (even for those IMs for Classes that do not apply the ERS, and for those Classes which don’t need certification measurement).
• Class-independent Equipment Inspection principles and techniques.
• Leading an Equipment inspection team as Chief Measurers/Chief Equipment Inspectors at major single or multi-class events.

Class-specific knowledge and training is still the responsibility of the respective Classes, and should include high level inspection procedures adapted to their specific needs.

First Time Applications

World Sailing Race Officials Administration is governed by Section 3 of the World Sailing Regulations with specific critera outlined with the document ‘Race Official Roles, Qualifications and Competences’.

All candidates must ensure they have read the relevant Regulations in full in order to understand the complete qualifications required to become an International Measurer. (Regulation 31 of the World Sailing Regulations).

To use the application platform to begin collecting references for a future application, please follow the guidance found in the Event Reference Manual.

The procedure to apply for re-appointment for World Sailing Race Officials is detailed in Section 3 of the World Sailing Regulations. Candidates must complete the official application form using the application portal, submitting by 1 September and continue to meet the required qualification standards.

Following the World Sailing Annual Conference in November each year, World Sailing publishes details of the candidates who successfully completed the application procedure to become a World Sailing Race Official for the first time and those who have had their status renewed.

The appointment and/or approval of World Sailing Race Officials to international events is defined in World Sailing Regulation 25. World Sailing has the right to appoint race officials for events in order to ensure that they are fully trained and qualified.

The document 2023 World Sailing Race Official Appointments details the names, nationalities and the term of appointment.