Yachting New Zealand and World Sailing are holding an International Umpire seminar in Auckland from 6 to 11 October 2020 in Auckland.

The International Umpire seminar will be held in conjunction with the NZ Match Racing Nationals. Australian umpires interested in attending can find information and online registration at https://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/world-sailing-international-umpire-seminar.

The great Australian Gary Manuel will be one of the presenters, joined by David Pryon from the USA.

The basic requirements for a candidate applying to become an International Umpire are:

• recently raced, preferably match, fleet or team racing;
• be able to apply the relevant rules and make correct decisions within a few seconds under pressure;
• be able to drive and position small powerboats with the anticipation of how boats manoeuvre in match and / or team racing;
• have attended a World Sailing Umpiring Seminar within four years;
• have passed the World Sailing examination and performance assessment
• have acted as an umpire in at least eight principal events in the last four years, one of those must be outside their Group or MNAs as applicable and shall include a range of Grades;
• have obtained a completed IUSC Reference Form from the Chief Umpire at three or more of the principal events

Whilst the IU seminar is subject to the COVID-19 situation, it is still advertised as going ahead. Yachting New Zealand have advised that they are asking people to register if they want to come so they are aware of numbers and interest and can keep them updated. There is no need for payment at this stage. However, Yachting New Zealand recommend holding off making travel arrangements until they have more clarity about what the COVID-19 situation may look like in October.

People interested in attending should:

1. Check with Yachting New Zealand to monitor whether it is going to go ahead. Enquiries about the seminar should be directed to Danika Mowlem danika@yachtingnz.org.nz.
2. Check with the Australian government’s Department of Home Affairs to monitor COVID-19 travel restrictions. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
3. Check with the New Zealand government to monitor COVID-19 travel restrictions. https://covid19.govt.nz/

Further information on becoming an International Umpire can be found at https://www.sailing.org/raceofficials/internationalumpire/index.php