Displaying items by tag: Olympic Federation of Ireland

19th April 2021

Olympic Federation Seek Two Independent Non-Executive Directors

The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) today announced that it is seeking applications for two voluntary Independent Non-Executive Directors (INED) positions to serve on its Executive Committee (Board of Directors) for the Olympic cycle to the Paris Summer Games in 2024.

This opportunity comes at a time when strong progress is being made across all areas of the OFI’s 2018 – 2024 strategy. The Independent non-Executive Director positions will provide successful candidates with the opportunity to contribute to a focused, diverse and passionate Board with a clear vision for the current Olympic Cycle.

The appointment of two independent Directors represents one of a number of Governance reforms that have been introduced recently, including term limits and minimum gender representation, which has led to a 50/50 gender-balanced Board.

Besides strong leadership ability and vision, candidates will share the passion of the Board for the development of Olympic sports in Ireland, and will demonstrate expertise and experience in at least one of following areas:

Strong financial expertise and financial governance experience
Proven track record of business leadership
Public Affairs experience

Odgers Berndtson have been engaged to manage the process and the deadline for applications is midday on 30 April 2021. Interested candidates can find out more about the position and how to apply here.

Announcing the recruitment process, Sarah Keane, Olympic Federation of Ireland President said,

“This is an exciting opportunity for independent candidates with the right skill-sets to contribute to a focused, ambitious and highly motivated Board. Our vision for the future is centred on putting athletes first and inspiring the nation through their success, while achieving financial independence and ensuring the highest standards of oversight and governance.

“We believe that the addition of two independent Directors will enhance our work and will assist us in taking advantage of the exciting opportunities that exist during this period for the promotion of Olympic sports.”

Published in Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing

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8th December 2020

Sailing, Rowing & Canoeing all Make Board of Olympic Federation of Ireland

Rio Olympic silver medalist Annalise Murphy will represent Ireland in Tokyo 2021

Aquatic sports of sailing, canoeing and rowing are all now on the board of the Olympic Federation of Ireland after today's EGM.

The elections and the EGM took place online due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, with voting delegates from the member federations placing their votes online between 11:30 and 14:00 today. The positions of President (Sarah Keane – Swimming), First Vice-President (Colm Barrington – Sailing), Second Vice-President (Robert Norwood – Snowsports) and Honorary General Secretary (Sarah O’Shea – Badminton) were uncontested.

In an historic first, the Executive Committee of the Olympic Federation of Ireland has achieved full gender balance, following the election of seven candidates at today’s EGM. Voting took place online earlier today, with nine candidates contesting seven positions. All positions were filled on a straight count, without the need for any gender quota provisions in the regulations. With the inclusion of the ex-officio Chair of the Athletes’ Commission, Shane O’Connor, the new Executive Committee will be composed of six females and six males. Four new member federations were also added to the Olympic Federation of Ireland at this evening’s meeting.

The results of the voting were announced at the EGM, the full Executive Committee listed below:

President

Sarah Keane (uncontested - nominated by Swimming)

First Vice President

Colm Barrington (uncontested - nominated by Sailing)

Second Vice President

Robert Norwood (uncontested - nominated by Snowsports)

Honorary General Secretary

Sarah O’Shea (uncontested - nominated by Badminton)

New Members of the Executive Committee

Listed in alphabetical order by surname

Moira Aston (nominated by Canoeing)

Michelle Carpenter (nominated by Rowing)

Georgina Drumm (nominated by Athletics)

Ciaran Gallagher (nominated by Gymnastics)

Linda Morgan (nominated by Boxing)

PJ Nolan (nominated by Cycling)

Lochlann Walsh (nominated by Triathlon)

The following member federations were added to the Olympic Federation of Ireland by show of hands at the EGM and will become full members due to their sport being on the programme during the next quadrennium.

Irish Luge Federation

DanceSport Federation of Ireland

Irish Surfing

In 2018 Kickboxing gained provisional recognition by the IOC, and is hoping to become a programme sport for the Olympic Games in LA in 2028. This evening they were approved as Associate Members of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

Kickboxing Ireland

President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Sarah Keane, who ran uncontested this year, will remain in the position for one more term.

“Tonight we are delighted to welcome three new members to our Executive Committee, and I would like to thank the outgoing members – Billy Kennedy, Robert Johnson, Darren O’Neill and Denis Toomey, who have contributed greatly to the organisation over the past three years. We are in the middle of our 2018 – 2028 strategy, and whilst a significant amount has been done and achieved so far, there is more to do, and we are very ambitious for Team Ireland and for Irish Olympic sport.

“I would also like to welcome our four new member federations, which represent some of the exciting and diverse sports that are on the Olympic agenda. We look forward to working with them and with all of our 42 member federations over the coming years.”

Published in Olympic

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Olympic Federation of Ireland

13th October 2020

Olympic Federation of Ireland Welcomes €36m Sport Budget Announcement

Rio silver medalist Annalise Murphy has been nominated for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics

The Olympic Federation of Ireland today welcomed the Government’s budget announcement that Sport Ireland will receive an additional €36m in funding next year.

The OFI Board has welcomed the long-term planning that is now being applied to sport through the National Sports Policy, and investments like today’s budget announcement are strongly welcomed in allowing for the delivery of those policy commitments and affording some protection to the sector at this critical time.

Speaking today, Peter Sherrard, CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland said, “I thank the Government, Minister Catherine Martin and Minister Jack Chambers for today’s budget announcement. We understand that this additional contribution to Sport Ireland will provide much-needed support for the sector and will allow continued planning for high-performance athletes ahead of next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games and the Paris 2024 cycle. This is welcome news for our athlete community who deserve our support and are working tirelessly to represent Ireland on the global stage.”

Published in Tokyo 2020

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9th October 2019

Budget 2020 To Deliver Tokyo Olympic Funds & National Sports Policy

Tokyo 2020 trialist Aisling Keller. Special funding earmarked to support National Governing Bodies, such as Irish Sailing, in preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games has been released by Government

The Olympic Federation of Ireland today welcomed the announcement made by Minister Shane Ross and Minister of State Brendan Griffin that Budget 2020 will deliver on the progressively increased funding for Irish sport set out in the 2018-2027 National Sports Policy.

Special funding earmarked to support National Governing Bodies, such as Irish Sailing, Rowing Ireland and the Irish Canoe Union, in preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games is also very welcome at this juncture, less than ten months out.

Speaking today, Peter Sherrard, CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland said,

“We thank the Government for continuing to honour its funding commitment to sport under Budget 2020. Sport plays a vital role in society, with major health, social and economic benefits right across the country. Our international athletes sacrifice so much to represent us on the world stage and inspire so many young people to get involved. They deserve our support and we thank the Government for committing funding to their programmes under this Budget.

“While details are still to be announced by Sport Ireland in relation to the distribution of the funding, today’s Budget announcement provides the means necessary to continue delivering on the 2018-2027 National Sports Policy and that is very positive.”

Published in Tokyo 2020

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About The Middle Sea Race

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney–Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a 'must do' race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968 and 2007 was the 28th Edition. Save for a break between 1984 and 1995 the event has been run annually attracting 25–30 yachts. In recent years, the number of entries has rissen sharply to 68 boats thanks to a new Organising Committee who managed to bring Rolex on board as title sponsor for the Middle Sea Race.

The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. Ted Turner described the MSR as "the most beautiful race course in the world".

Apart from Turner, famous competitors have included Eric Tabarly, Cino Ricci, Herbert von Karajan, Jim Dolan, Sir Chay Blyth and Sir Francis Chichester (fresh from his round the world adventure). High profile boats from the world's top designers take part, most in pursuit of line honours and the record – competing yachts include the extreme Open 60s, Riviera di Rimini and Shining; the maxis, Mistress Quickly, Zephyrus IV and Sagamore; and the pocket rockets such as the 41-foot J-125 Strait Dealer and the DK46, Fidessa Fastwave.

In 2006, Mike Sanderson and Seb Josse on board ABN Amro, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, the super Maxis; Alfa Romeo and Maximus and the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race overall winner, Hasso Platner on board his MaxZ86, Morning Glory.

George David on board Rambler (ex-Alfa Romeo) managed a new course record in 2007 and in 2008, Thierry Bouchard on Spirit of Ad Hoc won the Rolex Middle Sea Race on board a Beneteau 40.7

The largest number of entries was 78 established in 2008.

Middle Sea Race History

IN THE BEGINNING

The Middle Sea Race was conceived as the result of sporting rivalry between great friends, Paul and John Ripard and an Englishman residing in Malta called Jimmy White, all members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. In the early fifties, it was mainly British servicemen stationed in Malta who competitively raced. Even the boats had a military connection, since they were old German training boats captured by the British during the war. At the time, the RMYC only had a few Maltese members, amongst who were Paul and John Ripard.

So it was in the early sixties that Paul and Jimmy, together with a mutual friend, Alan Green (later to become the Race Director of the Royal Ocean Racing Club), set out to map a course designed to offer an exciting race in different conditions to those prevailing in Maltese coastal waters. They also decided the course would be slightly longer than the RORC's longest race, the Fastnet. The resulting course is the same as used today.

Ted Turner, CEO of Turner Communications (CNN) has written that the Middle Sea Race "must be the most beautiful race course in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?"

In all of its editions since it was first run in 1968 – won by Paul Ripard's brother John, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted many prestigious names in yachting. Some of these have gone on to greater things in life and have actually left their imprint on the world at large. Amongst these one finds the late Raul Gardini who won line honours in 1979 on Rumegal, and who spearheaded the 1992 Italian Challenge for the America's Cup with Moro di Venezia.

Another former line honours winner (1971) who has passed away since was Frenchman Eric Tabarly winner of round the world and transatlantic races on Penduik. Before his death, he was in Malta again for the novel Around Europe Open UAP Race involving monohulls, catamarans and trimarans. The guest list for the Middle Sea Race has included VIP's of the likes of Sir Francis Chichester, who in 1966 was the first man to sail around the world single-handedly, making only one stop.

The list of top yachting names includes many Italians. It is, after all a premier race around their largest island. These include Navy Admiral Tino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the star class and Cino Ricci, well known yachting TV commentator. And it is also an Italian who in 1999 finally beat the course record set by Mistress Quickly in 1978. Top racing skipper Andrea Scarabelli beat it so resoundingly, he knocked off over six hours from the time that had stood unbeaten for 20 years.

World famous round the world race winners with a Middle Sea Race connection include yachting journalist Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

The Maxi Class has long had a long and loving relationship with the Middle Sea Race. Right from the early days personalities such as Germany's Herbert Von Karajan, famous orchestra conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Philarmoniker, competing with his maxi Helisara IV. Later came Marvin Greene Jr, CEO of Reeves Communications Corporation and owner of the well known Nirvana (line honours in 1982) and Jim Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, whose Sagamore was back in 1999 to try and emulate the line honours she won in 1997.

THE COURSE RECORD

The course record was held by the San Francisco based, Robert McNeil on board his Maxi Turbo Sled Zephyrus IV when in 2000, he smashed the Course record which now stands at 64 hrs 49 mins 57 secs. Zephyrus IV is a Rechiel-Pugh design. In recent years, various maxis such as Alfa Romeo, Nokia, Maximus and Morning Glory have all tried to break this course record, but the wind Gods have never played along. Even the VOR winner, ABN AMro tried, but all failed in 2006.

However, George David came along on board Rambler in 2007 and demolished the course record established by Zephyrus IV in 2000. This now stands at 1 day, 23 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

At A Glance - Middle Sea Race 2024

First held: 1968

Organising Authority: Royal Malta Yacht Club

Start

The 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 19 October 2024.

Grand Harbour, Valletta: seven separate starts, at 10-minute intervals, from 11:00 CEST Saturday, 21 October 2024

Start Line: between the Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta) and Fort St Angelo (Birgu)

Various vantage points all around the Grand Harbour, high up on the bastions or at water level. Harbour access for spectator boats is restricted during the period of the start.

Course

Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.

Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)

Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll

Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth