A message from the Class President

It was a great experience to see how seriously engaged you all have committed yourselves and finalized the discussion and difficult jobs around the Class rule 11.2. The results for the Ballot to change Class Rule 11.2 and Appendix 1 have been audited by Farr 40 owner Kevin McNeil and  show an overwhelming support for both amendments ( 79% and 89%  respectively) . This represents a pivotal change for the Farr 40 Class further elevating its reputation as fairest one-design offshore class in the world. Our credo "the Farr 40 class is an area for owners to compete on even terms as helmsman both regionally, nationally and internationally" stands even truer.

Firstly, thanks to all of you that voted both for and against the ballot as it provided vital feedback and constructive criticism as you would expect from any close-knit family. There were 43 members eligible to vote and of those 37 voted. This strong response showed the level of passion for the Class and respect for your fellow owners and crew. As modestly put recently by Wolfgang Schaefer to an ISAF meeting in Oman about the secret to our long term success as a one design fleet, Wolfgang responded "it is easy if you have the right bunch of owners as friends on the water". The work by all to prepare the recommendations for the rule changes, the ballot process and feedback from owners to the technical committee and the outcome is testament to this.

Secondly, thank you for the immense efforts of the Technical Committee, the Chief Measurer Andrew Williams and the Executive. By way of background following the Worlds in Newport, Geoff Stagg, Tink Chambers and Andrew Williams did an exhaustive study of keel weights, fin and rudder imagining, centre of gravity testing and series of technical consultations with Farr Yacht Design and many concerned owners internationally. Wolfgang Schaeffer is the long standing chair of the Farr 40 Technical Committee where he provides his vast technical expertise along with his insights into other classes as the vice chairman of the ORC. Underlying the investigation work was the need to delicately balance cost to owners and the accuracy of measurement and their performance impacts. In the words of Wolfgang again "Fortunately the Farr 40 class is worldwide one. Therefore we must think internationally and make our decision that way". The easy solution may have been to lift the maximum keel weight but conscious of the cost and accuracy of measurement control, their exhaustive studies found it was better to reduce than add keel weight to achieve a tighter tolerance band. We as owners in this Class, stand fortunately on the shoulders of these giants with respect to their technical wisdom and passion for our Class. Wolfgang, Geoff, Tink, Andrew, Leif  and all involved with the technical committee,  I salute you on  behalf of all owners for your tireless efforts and guidance for our best interests.

Finally, moving to the Class's future we look forward to the Worlds in San Francisco in 2014 and beyond. Consultation about this rule change and its approval has strengthened numbers rather than reduced them for the Worlds and the lead up regattas.

The Class management and technical committee intend not to rest on their efforts to date. The forth coming Worlds will see a significant increasing level of one design measurement checks and controls. This will include selective measurement of various yachts' centres of gravity, mast weighing and for all boats weighing of keels and  comprehensive templating of keels and rudders. This level of control is to provide confidence to all owners that we compete on even terms as helmsman in this Class.

The official signing off on the continued sponsorship  of Rolex by Geoff Stagg in Geneva this week and his report on the classes development to them bode well for our future viability and sustainability to deliver world class championships. I too, look forward to competing in my 4th Worlds and continuing my friendship with all crews both on and off the water with the best one design fleet in the world. Biased maybe, proud most definitely and highly confident for sure that we are ship shape as a international one design class thanks to all of you.

Yours in sailing
Martin Hill
International President
Farr 40 Class