Sunday, 28 March 2021 18:09
International Wing Sports Association Executive Committee appointed at Inaurugal Meeting
Over the past 2 years, a new discipline of sailing called "Wing Foil" has emerged.
Winging can be see as a crossover between windsurfing, kiteboarding, sailing and standup paddling, and the current participants in the sport are coming equally from these communities.
While the sport is still in his infancy, there is a strong demand from stakeholders around the world to organize and govern the sport properly from the very beginning to ensure safe and fair competition in compliance with the established rules of World Sailing.
A group of accomplished athletes and sport managers with a wide range of backgrounds have worked over the past 12 month to form an international association, who's members are national associations governing the sport in their country and represent the athletes.
During the inaugural meeting on 14 March 2021, the constitution of the International Wing Sports Association was approved together with the class rules for the Wing Foil Class, and the appointment of an interim Executive Committee.
Former olympic windsurfer Maayan Davidovich (ISR) has been appointed President, with the chairman of the German Stand Up Paddle Association Phil Mandeau (SUI) beeing appointed Vice-Chairman.
The athlete's interests are represented by Gunnar Biniasch (GER), Nils Stolzlechner (USA) is leading the Technical Committee. The Executive Committee is completed by Australian's Youth Sailing Coordinator Ryan Palk and the President of the Italian Kiteboarding and Wingsport Association, Mirco Babini. The day-to-day business of the association is handled by Markus Schwendtner (GER).
Riders representative Gunnar Biniasch riding the waves of Fuerteventura, Spain
The interim Executive Committee will lead the Association through the first international competition season and retire at the next AGM, when the members (national associations) will be called to elect a new Executive Committee to decide on the future of the sport.
An application for international class status has already been submitted to World Sailing, together with the class rules for the Wing Foil Class (IWF).
Despite the difficult situation to organize competitions, the first events are planned in July at Lake Garda and in October in Cagliari on the resort island of Sardinia, Italy. Additional events in the Middle East are currently explored in the light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and any decisions will be made with the health and safety of the athletes as highest priority.
National wing sport associations and interested event organizers are encouraged to contact the IWSA via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our membership page at https://www.wingsports.org/about/governance/members.
Website: www.wingsports.org
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