20 Years of Dedication to SCIRA

(From the Snipe Bulletin)

by Antonio Bari

It was long time ago……when I was asked to become a member of the Rules Committee, so long that I don’t remember when it happened …

I suppose it was the end of the 90s. More than 20 years spent serving the class, first as a member, then as Chief Measurer, finally as Chairman of the Rules Committee.

Twenty exciting years in which great changes occurred in the Snipe Rules: the Builder certification, to make the mould’s manufactured boats????? measurements easier, the Measurers’ Handbook, to standardise the measurement process, the new Class Rules, the first whole revision of the General Restrictions since decades, makes a period of uninterrupted development of the Class from the rules side.

All this couldn’t have been possible without the inputs of the sailors and the measurers from all over the world, the timeless efforts of my predecessors Giorgio Brezich and Steve Stewart, the precious advice of Brainard Cooper, the competent help and suggestions of the Rules Committee members and the Chief measurers who during the past 8 years actively supported and promoted the actions of the Committee with the development in mind and the love for the Snipe in the heart.

Last, but not least, I would send a special thank to Antonio Espada whose great experience and rules knowledge were a keypoint in setting the guidelines for my assignment.

Now that my second term is close to its end, I’m very pleased to introduce the next Chairman of the Committee, Gus Wirth from San Diego, California. Gus has been Vice Chairman for the past 4 years and, thanks to his competence and wide vision, will be the ideal connection between the past and the future of the rules governance.

Good luck Gus, and long life to my beloved Snipe (I’ve been sailing for 40 years and will, for sure, continue sailing).