Sailing and Ukraine
Regattas and classes across the world suspended the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes, race officials and boats, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. World Sailing said Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials would not be allowed to take part “in World Sailing-owned and sanctioned competitions and events until further notice”.
World Sailing said:
“We are now strongly urging our Member National Authorities [countries that are World Sailing members]. Class Associations, affiliated bodies, and all event organizers to implement the
measure to suspend the participation of Russian or Belarusian athletes and officials in their respective events and competitions. Where this is not possible, due to short time frames, for organizational, or legal reasons, World Sailing. in line with the IOC Executive Board recommendation, is advising event organizers do everything in their power to ensure that Russian or Belarusian athletes (be it as individuals or teams), and officials participate neutrally, without national
symbols, colours, flags, or anthems.”
The RYA issued a supporting statement. as did various Olympic classes, including the Formula Kite, iQFoil, and 470 organisations.
The RoyJI Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and the TP52 Class were among those who fallowed suit, the decision impacting Vladimir Liubomirov’s Bronenosec Gazprom team, which finished sixth in the 2021 World Championship and the 52 SUPER SERIES.
Sail Training International also issued a statement, with chairman Jonathan Cheshire saying: “The four host ports of this summer’s Tall Ships Races – Esbjerg, Harlingen, Antwerp and Aalborg -informed us that their governments in Denmark, The Netherlands and Belgium have forbidden access to Russian-flagged vessels to any of their ports. “Under these circumstances, Sail Training International is not in a position to supersede the directives from sovereign countries.” The decision affects a handful of Russian-flagged ships in the fleet, including the Shtandart. which is a replica of a Russian warship built by Peter the Great in 1703 to defend the newly founded Saint Petersburg. The ship’s captain Vladimir Martus, who is half Russian and half Ukrainian, said the decision threatened the financial future of the ship.
He wrote a letter to the “ports of Europe”. saying: “Shtandart has left Russia 10 years ago, because I did not agree with Mr Putin’s policy and corruption. And for 10 years myself and the ship are sailing as a
homeless child without a chance to return home. Now the Tall Ships Races office intent to punish me, the trainees, the ship and kill her survivability.” Captain Martus wrote: ”In 1992 I took part in Brest Festival. I remember how happy people from all nations were to meet, to talk, to communicate freely – Russians, French, Dutch, Belgium, all nations.
”That finally happened, after so many years behind the Iron Curtain and Berlin Wall. And now the political situation’ tells you to stop all that and reverse… to build the Wall again?”
Original story take from the May Edition of Sailing Today.
