CISM World Games Sailing Event at Pohang City, South Korea
by Ade White 24 Oct 2015 12:42 BST
2-11 October 2015
Thirty 2000 class boats built by RS Sailing were made available for the CISM Sailing World Championships from the city of Pohang in Korea. Beautiful weather greeted the 58 sailing competitors from 29 member countries.
CISM is the International Military Sports Council. Every year they hold individual sports championships around the world, but every 4 years they join to form their own version of the Military Olympics. What a fantastic idea to promote their "friendship and peace" ethos.
The 2000 fleet was purchased, after careful consideration, so that the city of Pohang will have a fleet of sailing dinghies that are robust, user friendly, excellent learning platforms and have a challenging class racing pedigree.
Pohang are keen to develop as a sailing centre, not only for learning but to attract events and sailors from far and wide.
The city is vibrant, clean, has excellent beaches, cafes, food and hotels. The Korean people are so friendly and take great pride in their heritage and surroundings.
The weather for the event has been warm and sunny but the winds, moderate at first, declined to 8-10 knot racing for the event.
Pohang's organisation and teams of volunteers was nothing short of incredible. The race management, courses, support ribs and safety were excellent even though the committee boat was a little large as it was a 100ft motorboat so getting too close at the starboard end was not recommended.
The sailing regatta was raced as 2 fleets for the gold medals, girl crew teams and an open team.
Many crews had not experienced the 2000 before and had a steep learning curve for one-design racing, Many were used to boat tuning and different set-ups and quickly found their sea legs in the shiny new boats.
Briefing for the boats was given by Ade White, Manufacturing and Project Manager for RS Sailing, who was there to act as support for the boats and help the competitors during the event.
After 4 days racing the Girls from Team USA collected the Gold. This was a very special and emotional moment for the Team coach 'Sharkie", who missed out on a gold medal in the 1988 Korean Olympic games as an injury forced her out of her team who went on to win gold that year.
Team Russia took Silver and teams Brazil the Bronze.
In the Open class Team Ukraine took Gold, Team Brazil, Silver and Team Russia, Bronze.
Also the Fair-play award was won by Denmark, excelling and smiling all the way round and having the best of time.
The event was also a milestone in the fact that the President of CISM Sailing Committee. Commander Bram Weller of the South African Navy, after 20 Yrs service (all 6 military world games) steps down and is to be succeeded by Brigadier General Hassan Awad from Qatar.
So, roll on to the next big event, sometime next year somewhere in Brazil (this one is of course under the 5 circles). There is also going to be a CISM sailing event in Pakistan. What boats they choose to race will be decided by the host country.