The Autumn 2020 IDNIYRA and IDNIYRA EU combined ballot closed at 2345 November 22, 2020. Two-thirds of ‘yes’ votes are required for a Question to pass. The results are as follows:
Fifty-six percent of eligible members participated in the ballot. Abstentions were allowed on individual questions.
UPDATE: (8:33 AM CT) In question 3, the column of combined opposed was corrected from 74 to 174. Sorry for the error.
UPDATE #2: (12:30 PM CT) In question 3, the percentage of those voting in favor of the proposal was corrected from 62% to 41%.
Members of IDNIYRA and IDNIYRA EU recently voted on four proposed changes to the IDNIYRA Technical Specifications: (1) deletion of the existing specification of mast minimum weight; (2) deletion of the existing technical specification of minimum mast balance point height; (3) amendment of the materials specification of the ‘wood type’ runner body; and, (4) amendment of the minimum thickness of insert plate dimensions of the wood type runner with steel insert (insert runner). The results of the ballot follow.
Two hundred and thirty-three ballots were sent to IDNIYRA members of which 150 voted for a 64 percent return rate. Two hundred and seven ballots were sent to IDNIYRA EU members of which 155 voted for a 75 percent return rate. Two-thirds of the votes must support a measure for it to pass.
1. Deletion of the Existing Specification of Minimum Mast Weight:
Organization
In Favour
Opposed
Abstain
IDNIYRA
32
115
3
IDNIYRA EU
77
72
6
Combined
109
187
9
37 percent of those voting support proposal (1) so it fails.
2. Deletion of the Existing Specification of Minimum Mast Balance Point:
Organization
In Favour
Opposed
Abstain
IDNIYRA
37
111
2
IDNIYRA EU
91
59
5
Combined
128
170
7
43 percent of those voting support proposal (2) so it fails.
3. Amendment of the Materials Specification of the ‘Wood Type’ Runner Body:
Organization
In Favour
Opposed
Abstain
IDNIYRA
36
109
5
IDNIYRA EU
84
65
6
Combined
120
174
11
41 percent of those voting support proposal (3) so it fails.
4. Amendment of the Minimum Thickness of Insert Plate Dimensions of the Wood Type Runner with Steel Insert (Insert Runner):
Organization
In Favour
Opposed
Abstain
IDNIYRA
139
10
1
IDNIYRA EU
109
41
5
Combined
248
51
6
83 percent of those voting support proposal (4) so it passes.
Proposal 4, having passed, will come into effect on May 31, 2020 and will be reflected in the 2021 IDNIYRA Yearbook.
The members engagement in the voting process and the governance of the DN Class is very much appreciated.
Electronic balloting works! As of today, 62% of eligible IDNIYRA members and 56% of eligible IDNIYRA EU members have voted on four proposals for changes in the IDNIYRA Official Specifications. These numbers are records for voter participation. Our voting security measures prevent us from knowing how people voted until balloting closes, but we do know how many have voted.
If you haven’t voted yet, would you like to make our return rate even better? We cannot send a new invitation to vote, but if you haven’t voted yet, you should find the original invitation to vote in you inbox for March 25th.
Polling on the Official Specifications ballot closes on Wednesday April 15th. Shortly after that you should be receiving another ballot, this time for our annual election of IDNIYRA Officers.
IDNIYRA Technical Committee Communication
Jeff Kent US3535, Chairperson
Members
Tomek Zakrzewski P55, Paul Goodwin US46, Steve Orlebeke US4926, Richard Larsson S807, Peter Hamrak M53
Date: 2.3.2020 Subject: Sail Material Determination
There has been much recent discussion about what is considered Class-legal sailcloth. It has been a bit frustrating but has provided a great learning experience to for myself and hopefully for most of you. This exercise is very useful, especially since most of the current TC board were not on the board or even sailing a DN when the related specifications or interpretations were initiated.
I will document some of the background history on how the DN Class came come to the current sail cloth specifications. We will enforce the current specifications. Much of this information came from Paul Goodwin, Henry Bossett, Mike Boston, and others. Understanding the background is invaluable for us to know as we move forward.
In simple form: Originally, the sailcloth had to be just Howe & Bainbridge 6.5oz . At that time, all cloth was exported from H&B. US sail makers had the ability to pick and choose the best rolls of material because quality varied dramatically. The European sail makers had the left overs which were inconsistent in quality. This created pressure for the Class to open up to supplier(s) in Europe and the Class added a second construction. Both of these were essentially the same and were of unbalanced weaves.
There came a time when only one sailcloth was available. The TC was asked to consider a new entry, Contender Polykote. This was also an unbalanced weave and essentially identical to the other suppliers. The Class decided to allow this new cloth to provide multiple suppliers.
Only the specific unbalanced construction meets our current DN Class Specifications. This leaves us with 2 Class-legal cloths which have been used for years: Dimension Polyant 280AP HTP+ 250x 410 Contender 6.5 Polykote 200 x 440
There are now more products that have a name Polykote attached and their construction varies dramatically. Construction of the cloths is much different, is way out of the requirement in our specifications, and is considered not legal for use in competition in IDNIYRA events.
Conclusion: There is no specification change or interpretation required. We will enforce the current specifications. The TC may look into modifying this specification in the future.
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