UKLA Chair blog #7
We want our class to be a welcoming place for all sailors, parents and volunteers no matter their level of experience or their age. We need to show each other respect. We want to encourage and nurture a culture where we can all enjoy the sport and display sportsmanship on and off the water.
ILCA racing is a competitive activity and, as you might expect for someone who has competed in the Olympics, not to mention regular National events and club racing, I would not want to minimise the emotions that can be produced in the intense arena of competition – such as results not going in line with expectations, other boats getting in the way, or seemingly breaking rules and wind not conforming to expectations.
But we must remember everyone has different skills and experience, not to mention expectations. If you have found yourself shouting aggressively at another sailor or bullying them into sailing a certain direction or using foul language (this is not an exhaustive list), it is time to think again.
Foul language and poor and/or aggressive behaviour on or off the water at our events is not acceptable.
The reason I am raising this before the upcoming Qualifiers is that we received several reports of foul language and aggressive behaviour at the recent Nationals in Hayling Island and the UKLA will therefore be taking action to improve this going forward. Happily, this does not appear to be widespread but a number of isolated incidents.
First, I would remind sailors that they can report incidents to the directly Protest Committee. If “a breach of good manners, a breach of good sportsmanship, or unethical behaviour” or “conduct that may bring, or has brought, the sport into disrepute” comes to the attention of the Protest Committee, by whatever means, that may lead to the Protest Committee deciding to call a formal hearing under Rule 69.
If the Protest Committee decides that there has been a breach of Rule 69, a wide range of actions is available to it, ranging from a warning for the least serious cases to excluding the person(s) concerned from the event or venue and taking other action.
Second, if a sailor, parent or volunteer would like to raise an incident informally, please let Ellie know in the Race Office or talk directly to one of the class reps - ILCA7 (Sam Whaley), ILCA6 (Jane Sunderland) and ILCA4 (Pamela Cross). Please note that UKLA will not investigate any allegations or impose sanctions as this can only be done by the Protest Committee.
Thank you for your support in making the class a better place and I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events.
All the best
Mark
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