World Sailing, our parent organization and international governing body for the sport of sailing, has adopted a new Constitution. This landmark reform represents the most significant governance overhaul in the organization's recent history as it addresses long-standing calls for modernization and enhanced transparency in the sport's administration.

The new Constitution emerges from a multi-year review process that identified the need to align World Sailing's governance with contemporary best practices in international sports administration. The previous Constitution, dating from 2021, while functional, had become increasingly inadequate for managing the complexities of modern sailing and meeting heightened expectations for organizational transparency and accountability.

The new Constitution introduces a more focused Board composition of nine directors:

• The President
• 7 Vice Presidents (with mandatory gender balance)
• The Chair of the Athletes' Committee

A significant innovation is the introduction of several independent bodies, each with specific mandates:

• The Nominations Panel: Responsible for identifying and assessing candidates for key positions
• The Elections Panel: Oversees electoral processes to ensure fairness and transparency
• The Investigations Panel: Handles complaints and whistleblowing mechanisms
• The Disciplinary Tribunal: Adjudicates disputes and enforcement matters
• The Ombudsman: Provides independent mediation and dispute resolution

The committee structure has been refined with:

• Clearer definitions of roles and responsibilities
• Mandatory work plans aligned with World Sailing's strategy
• Enhanced reporting requirements
• More structured appointment processes
• Term limits to ensure regular renewal of expertise

The new Constitution mandates unprecedented levels of transparency, requiring:

• Publication of meeting minutes within 14 days
• Public access to financial reports and organizational documents
• Clear processes for decision-making and appeals
• Regular reporting to membership on strategic progress

For OSAF and our regional sailing community, these changes bring several important implications:

• Enhanced representation opportunities through the new governance structure
• Clearer pathways for dispute resolution and appeals
• More transparent decision-making processes affecting regional sailing
• Improved access to organizational information and documentation

The new Constitution also strengthens the role of regional federations like OSAF as it provides clearer frameworks for regional development and coordination with World Sailing. The constitutional reform represents a significant step forward for sailing's global governance.

The changes reflect growing recognition that modern sports governance requires robust structures that promote transparency, accountability, and inclusive decision-making. As we move toward implementation, OSAF will continue to work closely with World Sailing to ensure our regional interests are well-represented within this new framework.

The new Constitution takes effect immediately following the 2024 World Sailing General Assembly that took place in Singapore Nov 9, 2024.

We encourage all members of our sailing community to familiarize themselves with these changes as we engage in this important transition in our sport's administration. Here are the minutes of the World Sailing Constitution Committee.

For more detailed information about specific aspects of the new Constitution, please contact the OSAF office or visit World Sailing's website.