Irish sailors will chair two World Sailing Committees for 2025-2028 following the approval of the appointments by the World Sailing Council this week.
Dublin match racer Diana Kissane will be vice–chair of the Equipment Rules Sub-committee.
Kissane is a well-known Irish sailor, particularly recognised for her involvement with Howth Yacht Club. She has made significant contributions to the Irish sailing community, both as a competitive sailor and in various leadership roles. In 2024, Kissane was the top female helm at the GP14 World Championships in Wales.
Carrickfergus's Chris Lindsay chairs the International Umpires Sub-committee.
As regular Afloat readers know, the Northern Ireland sailor was an International Judge for the Paris 2024 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing Competitionsan International Judge for the Paris 2024 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing Competitions.
Carrickfergus's Chris Lindsay chairs World Sailing's International Umpires Sub-committee
Members of World Sailing's Committees and Sub-Committees will work within their terms of reference to provide guidance to World Sailing and positively impact the sport for sailors worldwide.
David Graham, World Sailing Chief Executive Officer, said, "The entire sport of sailing is fortunate to have the support of so many dedicated volunteers willing to lend their experience for the benefit of the sport.
"Committee and Sub-Committee members provide advice and recommendations on policy and regulations. These members volunteer their time to shape sailing and enrich the experience of sailors at all levels, in all regions and in all areas of the sport.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, both previous and current, and the Executive Office, I would like to thank the outgoing members enormously for their efforts and commitment and we look forward to working closely with the new Committees and Sub-Committees and to continuing our shared goals and objectives for the sport of sailing.”
World Sailing Appointed Chairs and Vice-Chairs 2025-2028:
Equipment Committee
Chair: Glen Stanaway (AUS)
Vice Chair: Matteo Plazzi (ITA)
Equipment Rules Sub-committee
Chair: Dimitris Dimou (GRE)
Vice Chair: Diana Kissane (IRL)
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Chair: Pinar Coskuner Genc (TUR)
Vice Chair: Sylvie Harle (FRA)
Events Committee
Chair: Wolfgang Mayrhofer (AUT)
Vice Chair: Aiko Saito (JPN)
Governance Committee
Chair: Balazs Hajdu (HUN)
Vice Chair: Sarah Treseder (GBR)
Growth of Sailing Committee
Chair: Malav Shroff (IND)
Vice Chair: Inga Jakobsone (LAT)
International Judges Sub-committee
Chair: Andrus Poksi (EST)
Vice Chair: Kevin Hawkins (USA)
International Measurers Sub-committee
Chair: Aileen Loo (SGP)
Vice Chair: Alistair Deaves (NZL)
International Umpires Sub-committee
Chair: Chris Lindsay (IRL)
Vice Chair: Christina Ortendahl (SWE)
Match Racing Committee
Chair: Michael Rollich (FIN)
Vice Chair: Anne Malledant (FRA)
Oceanic & Offshore Committee
Chair: Matt Allen (AUS)
Vice Chair: Corinne Migraine (FRA)
Para Sailing Committee
Chair: Kay Rawbone (HKG)
Vice Chair: Emma Hallen (SWE)
Race Management Sub-committee
Chair: Anne Malledant (FRA)
Vice Chair: David Brookes (AUS)
Race Officials Committee
Chair: Ricardo Navarro (BRA)
Vice Chair: Elena Papazoglou (CYP)
Racing Rules Committee
Chair: Ana Sanchez (ESP)
Vice Chair: Richard Slater (AUS)
Regional Games Committee
Chair: Abdur Rehman Arshad (PAK)
Vice Chair: Sofia Papadopolou (CYP)
Special Regulations Sub-committee
Chair: James Dadd (GBR)
Vice Chair: Richard Hinterhoeller (CAN)
Specialist Sailing Committee
Chair: Mirco Babini (ITA)
Vice Chair: Knut Frostad (NOR)
Team Racing Committee
Chair: Amanda Callahan (USA)
Vice Chair: Arnaud Mante (FRA)
Youth Events Committee
Chair: Piotr Oleksiak (POL)
Vice Chair: Elizabeth Kratzig (USA)
Appointments were approved by a majority vote of Council Members of 94%.
The Committees and Sub-Committees will serve through to the 2028 World Sailing Annual Conference. Appointments to the Classes Committee and Athletes’ Committees were confirmed prior to the meeting and were subject to a separate process.
