CIPA EXTRAORDINARY MEETING
HELD TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2009
AT THE MESSE CONVENTION HALL, FREIBURG, GERMANY
CIPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
James Pollard President
Margaret Brooks Vice-President
Norio Iwakata Member
Lorraine Norton Member
Nicola Genchi Member
Olga Soto Secretary/Interpreter
COUNTRIES PRESENT (26):
Austria, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Gt.Britain, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA.
Also present was the lst Vice-President of FIRS Val Leftwich.
An apology was received from the new President of the African Confederation, Wendy Gila of South Africa.
The President welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Walter Hasper and Thomas Fischer who were the main Organisers of the Championships. Everything has been organised very professionally in a very friendly atmosphere, and on behalf of the Organisers, Walter Hasper welcomed everyone to Freiburg, and hope they all enjoyed their time here, and said his Organisation are available to help anyone who had any problems during their stay.
MINUTES FOR 2008
The Minutes of the meeting held in Kaohsiung had been sent out to Nations early in the year, and a further copy was in the information handed out at the meeting.
The President asked if there were any questions on the Minutes before approving them. Germany asked about having World Championships every two years as had been discussed in 2008, and asked what FIRS had decided about this, but there had been no comment about this from them.
The President stated that we had bids for World Championships up until 2015, and Contracts for the next 3 years had been signed.
The Minutes were accepted for 2008
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
The President stated that his report was contained in the package given to all Nations (full report attached)
He briefly went through a few items :-
World Games in Kaohsiung was a great success with a stadium full to watch the artistic events. It was the same venue as the 2008 World Championships, and this time the floor was perfect for the skaters.
The next World Games will be held in Cali, Colombia in 2013. It is important that in the World Games the very best skaters compete as they did the last year and he thanked the Nations involved for sending the skaters invited.
There is still a problem with some Federations still wanting Catalan to compete and this is against the FIRS and CIPA rules. Catalan are only allowed to compete with the permission of the Real Federation of Spain, who are the recognised Body of Spain, and any skater or Official ignoring this will be automatically disqualified from competing or officiating at CIPA events.
The IOC do not recognise Catalan as a separate country.
As everyone is aware Speed was not accepted by the IOC as a sport in the Olympic Games and all countries should be aware that the FIRS did all in their power to get Roller Sports accepted, and they will continue with this aim in the hope that we can be considered in 2020.
It is the first time in the history of Roller Sports that we have seriously been considered and have reached the list of 7 Sports to be considered and we must all continue with our dream.
The IOC have approved "Youth Olympics" and this is very important for the future of our Sport. CIPA will be working on the technical matters for this event.
The Junior World Championships this year was the largest event since we started and we hope this continues.
FIRS AND CONTINENTAL REPORTS
Reports were in the information given out as follows -
The European activities throughout the year by the CEPA and the Calendar for all European Championships and Competitions were given by the President of CEPA, Margaret Brooks, and she stated that all countries throughout the World were welcome to compete at the many international competitions that are held. Information can be obtained as the competition details come out from any country interested by contacting Margaret Brooks on Margaret@cepa.eu.com
Pan America and Oceania also gave a report on their activities, and Oceania also gave information on their activities in 2010 which will take place in Wanganui, New Zealand, from 5-10 July.
The Delegate from Puerto Rico stated that the Central American and Caribbean Games will take place in Puerto Rico in 2010, from July 10. This is an Olympic event for Central America and Caribbean areas.
The Pan American Championships is the qualifier for 2011 Pan American Games to be held in Pueblo, Mexico, from April 24 to 1 May 2010.
The South American Olympic Games will be held 20/22 March 2010 in Medellin, Colombia.
Doping Control
This is a very important part of our Sport. Athletes are tested both in competition and in training, and Pat Wallace, FIRS Director in charge of Anti-Doping explained the system and reported that already one artistic athlete and one Inline Hockey have already been sanctioned. In artistic the medal from World Games has to be handed back.
It is necessary for all athletes to complete the official forms before they compete and a data base is being set up for the future. Tests will be carried out for all disciplines, including Show and Precision.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Alterations to Technical Regulations :-
Attached to these Minutes you will find the new regulations from 2010 and the Vice-President explained the two first items which affected the method of Judging (Scoring Procedures - 4.06.09 and 4.06.10 from the CIPA Regulations)
She also explained that the maximum age for Solo Dance will be taken out (see CIPA regulations 2.04.01)The age for Juniors skaters will be increased to 19 years as from 1 January 2010 - i.e. the rules will read -
"The Championships will be for skaters in dance, figures, free skating and pairs who are at least twelve (12) years of age and not yet nineteen (19) years of age as of January 1st in the year of the Championships"
The President explained this had been discussed for a long time and the CIPA Executive took this decision after looking at all the ages 50% of the skaters in Junior would have to move to Senior next year, and decided to give an extra year to help the Nations.
The Delegate from Spain asked that in future any important decision such as this should be decided and announced with more time given to the Nations as it was very late in the season to give this important information.
LONG FREE SKATING PROGRAMME
Nicola Genchi, on behalf of CIPA Executive explained the change that will take place for the Long Free Skating Programmes for singles as from l January 2010.
The President said this had been discussed during the last 2 years, and finally the alteration to the Long Programme would be as the information attached to these Minutes.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE HAS BEEN ONE CHANGE TO THE NUMBER OF SINGLE JUMPS YOU CAN PERFORM (THESE WILL NOT BE RESTRICTED) See 6.03.03 included in the information given out with these Minutes.
DUAL NATIONALITY
Many proposals from South America had been sent to ask that in Pairs and Dance Couples dual nationalities could compete together, and the President said that this would be discussed at the FIRS Executive Meeting to be held later in the week here in Freiburg. The reason for this is that dance and pairs was decreasing in numbers and it was felt this would help countries to form partnerships and compete at World Level. Mr. Fernando Claro, President of CEPA and a member of the FIRS Central Committee stated that in his opinion this should not be allowed.
The matter will be put before the Central Committee by the President of CIPA.
FEDERATION OFFICIALS
The President asked that all countries check their officials (a list for each Nation who have Judges/Calculators, is included in the information given out, and make sure the list was correct for their country. Any alterations should be given to him before the end of the Championships
DANCE REPORT:
Margaret Brooks reported that the Guidelines for the "Latin Combination" OD for 2010 was included in information given out, together with the list of dances for solo and couples for 2010.
She also reported that music for solo/couples was available from her after the meeting at a cost of 20 euros.
The two new couples dances had been demonstrated on Sunday 15 November - the Castel March and Tango Delanco, and many skaters had the opportunity to try these dances out that evening and this was very successful.
A DVD of the new dances was available for anyone wishing to purchase this.
Each Nation who did couples dance would be given a copy of this DVD by CIPA when they signed for their Minutes and information for 2010.
FIRS WEB SITE:
Nicola Genchi informed the Nations about the web site, and how they could download all forms for the 2010 World Championships, and also all the CIPA Regulations.
2010 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Organisers of the World Championships gave a Presentation on the Championships to be held in Portimao, Portugal from 22 November - 4 December and said this was the first time in 32 years that Portugal was hosting this event.
The President said he was sure that these will be very successful Championships, in a friendly City on the Ocean, with temperatures between 17-22 degrees. Hotels will be of all categories, with many restaurants of all kinds.
The nearest airport in Faro which is 67 km from Portimao, and it is 3 hours by train from Lisbon airport.
The rink will seat 3500 spectators, with a floor of wood 50 x 25 metres.
The contact for any questions in Ricardo Araujo and his card is included in the information given out.
FUTURE CHAMPIONSHIPS:
2011 Brasilia, Brazil
2012 New Zealand (or Argentina if New Zealand cannot do it)
2013 France, Paris
2014 Spain
2015 Colombia
2016 Open for Bids
The lst Vice-President of FIRS, Val Leftwich was introduced by the President of CIPA, and on behalf of the President of FIRS, Sabatino Aracu, she welcomed everyone to these Championships and wished them all good luck.
She thanked Walter Hasper and Thomas Fischer for their Organisation which was first class.
The meeting closed at 17.15.
