I'm too pissed off to not publish this story of ISAF bureacracy and cover ups...

After two days of protest hearings against ISAF (represented by Jerome Pels) in front of an international jury (we were represented by US Sailing (Gary)) the jury had no choice but to abide by the NOR in front of them and exclude us from the event.

US Sailing argued two points: 1. That the original NOR published in May 2005 listed the discipline as Open Multihull. He also had proof that when ISAF council voted for the inclusion of a Women's Multihull discipline they did NOT VOTE to change the open to Men's only. This was done either by the organizers or by Jerome behind council's back at a later date.
2. In November, US Sailing obtained verbal exception to enter a mixed team after finding out of the change in the NOR.

Jerome, in a typical beraucratic cover your butt way, denied both points and without having any concrete proof in writing the jury had no choice. This is a type of guy who will not answer yes or no to any question, but rather a vague long story as to avoid any countability. In the hearing(s), Jerome was the only one who had the power to do the right thing and make this exception to allow us to continue, but that would have meant admitting to making mistakes. Afterwards, he also had the nerve to attempt an apology by repeating that he did nothing wrong.

Here's the sequence of events for everyone to judge for themselves. To me it's ridiculous that the event and ISAF bares no responsibility.

1. Based on a preliminary NOR (produced at hearing) in April 2005. US Sailing selected F18 NAs as the qualifying event for the Open Multihull class.
2. Event was held in August and teams were selected.
3. Somewhere between October-November, US Sailing learned that the discipline had been changed to Men's Multihull. After not getting replies to emails, Gary approached an ISAF rep while in Singapore and received a verbal exception to enter a mixed team because our qualifier had already been held.
4. February, US Sailing enters us into the event and receives confirmation of acceptance of teams. The entry forms specified Kelly as being female. Not to mention that she is a registered ISAF sailor.
5. May 7, we arrive in Austria and register at the event. We go through registration, accreditation with photos.
6. May 8-9, we are given a boat for practice racing.
7. May 10, We race two qualifying races. Turns out that morning Gary was handed a slip by ISAF stating that our entry had been denied. Gary spends the day in hearings. When we came off the water we met Gary and filed another protest to reopen our hearing with new evidence.
8. May 11, our reopen was granted but the petition was denied and we were thrown out of competition.

How the hell did this go this far without the event having to bear any responsibility? We prepared and trained for this event for 8 months and spent thousands of dollars to come here to compete. I just think this should have come up prior to us actually getting on the water and racing.

Sorry if I'm venting. Can't help it.

On another note... we do want to thank everyone who have supported our sailing and training efforts and are sorry this happened.

Ollie,

That SUCKS! You Kelli deserve better.

Dave

OUCH !
Ollie - Kelli, I just read in your reply in the other post that you will make the Madcatter - You'll be with a strong support group in 1 week. And the Doctor's Medicine will help heal the wounds - I'll buy the 1st round - Can't wait to see you both (sorry it's under these conditions). Kelli always has the coolest stories anyway - Fly around the boat on the wire, fly around the world and not sail. What next?

Travel Safe;

Rico

Ollie:

Thank you for the whole story. I was trying to piece it together. I am more appalled now with your story. If there is anything that Eileen and I could to lend a hand in just ask.

Later,
Dan

Olli,

I am so sorry that this has happened. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further assistance you may need.

Tracie

Ollie,

Are you and Kelli bringing your skates?

ISAF SUCKS!!!!

Absolutely Unfathomable.

Could the ISAF possibly have their heads further up their butt.

I'll be writing some letters.

First of all who would imagine that the class that should lead to the Olympics would exclude some competitors that would possibly compete in the Olympics. This makes no sense at all.

And then to have a qualifing event where some of the competitors would be excluded from the ISAF event is just shocking.

Well we have your spot reserved for the NAF18's and we won't be excluding anyone in our event. (Of course you have to have an F18 to compete. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />) oops.

Mike Hill
www.stlouiscats.com

When will sailors finally get the message?
The ISAF is a self-serving, greedy, completely “immoral” bureaucracy, that has "stolen" control of as much of sailing as they can (and are forever seeking more and more control whenever they see the slightest opportunity). It’s all a matter of "power". They have it and the actual sailors are just a minor necessary "evil", for them to exert their will over.
There is nothing new here. Many, many similar “injustices” have and will continue to occur to sailors at the “whims” of the ISAF.

Very well said, Darryl. I hope this latest incident will help MORE people get the message.

Thank you everyone for your support. It's nice to hear from friends.

I also have to mention that the Hobie Cat guys have been awesome, they just located and arranged a charter boat for us to go to Cangas for the Worlds in July after hearing what happened. We had given up our trip to the F18s and Tiger Worlds to come here so it's nice to put that back on the calendar.

Tom, yes I will be bringing my hockey gear. I hope you are still skating these days.

This story is incredible considering that mixed teams are allowed in the open multihull event in the Olympics (Tornado).

ISAF defintely has its head way up its rear end!