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Adel Khalid Al Bastaki has arrived safely in Qingdao, so deciding to reduce my retirement fund to zero, I'm off to watch him compete.
He has a tough road ahead with 43 nations in the men's single handed event, so will hopefully appreciate the support.
In my opinion the Olympics provide fair sailing at its best. The Lasers are "out of the box" and are allocated to competitors on the basis of a draw. No technology or tweaking of your own rig - just the sailor and what he is given.
Adel's performance will be heroic; the subtle, varying conditions may give him an edge to get in the middle of the fleet. The favourite for Gold is Australian Tom Slingsby; followed by Andrew Murdoch of New Zealand and Brit Paul Goodison. The real tussle will most likely be between the highly experienced Slingsby and Goodison.
And as for Adel, well he'll be looking forward to training for the next four years, and Weymouth for the 2012 London Olympics. Weymouth is the centre of UK Sailing and the competition in these cold blustery waters will be fierce. Fortunately for Adel, he is sponsored by Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Khalid Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and with his coach Omar Bazara, they should want for nothing.
Hopefully, Adel's Olympic effort will encourage the growth of the Laser Class in the Gulf region, particularly amongst the Gulf Nationals. It has been a well subscribed class in all of the regions main regattas, and this should be a real boost.
Sailing really needs a boost after the shenanigans of the America's Cup syndicates; Alinghi and BMW Oracle. Between the two camps it is only the lawyers that are getting any tangible benefit. Clearly the message it sends to Joe Public is one of disarray, greed and manipulation in the court room.
As for competing on the water, well that's at least 18 months away; by then even the most dogged of fans will have found something better to do. Despite my criticism of the International Sailing Federation, perhaps it is time for them to step in; they can't do any worse.
That leads me nicely into ISAF's Annual General Conference in Madrid next November. Calls for submissions are over, as the deadline was 1st August. For reasons that are inexplicable (probably stupidity ranks highest), I have put my name down for the Development Committee.
Although, it may be that ISAF are equally fed up with me, and may choose a younger (not hard) and wiser (even easier) candidate.
I'll be at the AGM in any case, arguing for the three submissions made by the UAE. All of them will have an impact on sailing in this region. Submissions, by the way, are the only way you can get anything changed.
These have to be placed before Council and approved by the majority; except for the Constitution that gets changed by the General Assembly. Yes, you are right, it is a little bewildering!
First up is a change in the definition of Continental Membership. Readers may not know, but ISAF is pretty choosy with its membership. Full members are the Member National Authorities (MNAs); the rest are more or less invited to the table, but are only allowed to eat when told.
To allow others in through the door, and at least be seen, ISAF created Continental Membership. This allows for Continental Associations such as the Asian Sailing Federation to join. But this is limited to the five Olympic continents (six in ISAF's case but that's another long story!).
In accepting this submission, ISAF will open the door to organisations like the Arabs Sailing Federation. I believe this will be of great benefit to both ISAF and the regions.
Closer to home, the UAE have requested a second seat in Council for Group I. ISAF Council is made up of Groups that are historical in nature - stemming from the old Colonial days - and Group I is composed of mainly developing Arab Nations; some of whom are ISAF members, some of whom are potential members, and others who are off the radar screen.
The last submission is an attempt to address an issue that has become apparent at the last AGM mid-year meeting. By the way, if all this is putting you to sleep, don't feel embarrassed, it does it to me at the meetings!
ISAF have tried to bring more order the Council meeting. Personally I rather enjoyed the old order, or more aptly, the chaos that reigned from time-to-time. Interjections from both Council members and the floor could be quite entertaining - but we do have to move with the times. However, in doing so, we seem to have excluded each and every voice from the floor.
Consequently there are some who feel that their case has not been presented adequately, or even being heard. As we are a brotherhood, all with the same vision, it sees a pity that a voice from the floor cannot be heard at least once. In the future it might be mine!
Enough for now. Must pack my bags and board that plane to China. Next month I'll give you a taste of Olympic Sailing.
Barrie Harmsworth has been sailing since boyhood. His first voyage was with Captain Cook and together they discovered Australia. Having been involved with all aspects of sailing in the U.A.E for longer than he is prepared to admit, he brings his unique slant to what is happening in the world of Sailing and the activities of the International Sailing Federation.
