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Organisation
Mission Statement
IMCO International is an independantly constituted body, a member of the International Windsurfing Association, set up to manage the affairs of the membership of each of the following class associations:
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Mistral One Design Class (MOD was chosen as the Olympic Class in 1992, 1996 & 2000),
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the Mistral Junior One Design Class (MJOD),
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the Mistral Prodigy One Design Class (MPROD)
and to maintain its three guiding principals which are:
1. To keep each board as equal as possible by maintaining the One-Design features of the equipment;
2. To minimize the cost for each competitor;
3. To encourage the use of racing tactics and sailing skills rather than equipment to increase board speed.
Aims
1. To work closely with the ISAF, and its National Authorities, and windsurfing associations worldwide to develop windsurf racing by defining a clear structure by which a junior racer can progress up the ladder to elite competitor status.
2. To expand the class at all levels of competition from the Elite to the Weekend competitor; for all age & weight divisions; for men & women everywhere and to be responsive to their needs and wishes.
3. To deliver quality race management for all and a 'social programme' second to none at well organised sanctioned regattas.
4. To establish good working relationships with sponsors & the media worldwide.
5. To maintain a well funded international office to manage the affairs of the class and act as a communications centre.
6. To have fun!
Background Information
IMCO International is best described as a global windsurf club for owners of Mistral equipment racing in Junior, Youth, Recreational & Elite parts of the sport. The MOD was formed in 1978 and is an ISAF "International Class"; the MJOD was formed in 2000 and is also an ISAF "International Class" and the MPROD is currently developing as a recreational class before making application to ISAF for recognition.
The International Sailing Federation (ISAF), the governing body of sailing, selected the MOD equipment for use at the Olympic Regatta in Savannah 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. No other windsurfing class has been selected for three Olympic Regattas in succession.
Competitors race at major MOD & MJOD events worldwide, representing the pinnacle of one design windsurf racing outside of the Olympic movement . The MPROD is being established as a recreational racing class for all age groups and has no ambitions to move into elite competition believing that there are many racers who just want to have fun racing with friends at reasonable cost.
Competitors racing in Junior (MJOD) & Youth Divisions at Continental & World Championships are potential world and olympic champions of tomorrow.
Our regattas are subject to the current ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing and the relevant ISAF approved Class Rules.
The Mistral is one of the brands in the Boards & More GmbH portfolio. The MOD was first produced in 1989. Worldwide, there are more than 30,000. They are light, tough and reasonably priced. In the right hands, they can be sailed in windspeeds of between 5 - 35 knots depending on sea conditions.
IMCO have established over 50 National Class Organisations .
We offer sponsors a professional public relations and media service; ensure site, competitor and sail branding; commission still photographers & video production and distribution; and work to provide cost effective returns on commercial investment.
The international office (IWA) employs an Executive Secretary and is financed by income from international IMCO sanctioned regattas and class membership fees. IMCO also enjoys the full support of Boards & More GmbH.
Service
The IMCO, through the IWA Executive Office, provides the following services:
1. Administration & organisation for the classes worldwide;
2. Liaison with National and International Authorities;
3. Maintainance and enforcement, in association with the Class's Chief Measurer, of the Class Rules;
4. Promotion of the classes worldwide;
5. Communication through News Releases, the website and electronic newsletters;
6. Co-ordination of the International Racing Calendar;
7. Orchestration of Continental and World Championships annually.
How to join
There are two ways:
National Class Organisation
With the support of your National Authority or an existing Class Association, you can set up a National MOD or MJOD Class and benefit from the support of the International Executive Office; a voice in the management of the class; assistance in developing the sport in your country; and a network of contacts worldwide.
Annual Membership Fees are collected by the IWA from national associations.
If you are not sure whether a National IMCO or MJOD class already exists in your country or if you would like their contact details so you can start racing and having fun wherever you are, please e-mail us for more information
This category of membership is for the International Competitor from a country where no National Class exists. The Annual Membership Fee is 25 euro.
Championship Rules & Event Manual
The Championship Rules and Event Manual have been produced with the following objectives:
1. To establish the highest achievable standards for event organisation.
2. To provide written guidelines for prospective event organisers.
3. To provide a common basis for the improvement of event management.
4. To clearly establish the reciprocal responsibilites of IMCO and the event organiser.
5. To enable potential sponsors to get a clear idea of the organisational structure of an MPROD/IMCO/MJOD event.
The contents of these documents form the basis for any bid submitted to IMCO for a World or Continental championship and are implicit in any agreement between IMCO and an event organiser.
All prospective organisers wishing to run an MPROD, IMCO or MJOD sanctioned event should, in the first instance, contact the IWA Office. We will do all we can to assist you to achieve the most successful regatta possible, in the circumstances, and are happy to cooperate fully with other windsurfing classes to achieve critical mass. For potential sponsors, the Event Manual will give a clear idea of what we can do if the finance is available over and above that provided by the organiser. The latter finance will ensure that your valuable support will be concentrated on promoting your product or service and incidentally the sport that we love so much.
Yearbook
This is an annual publication distributed to all National IMCOs and National Authorities. It contains the Constitution; Class Rules and Championship Rules; Minutes of Annual General Meetings; and contact details for all MOD/MJOD Committees.
Website
The website has been reworked for 2006, and as well as containing all the above also carries news items, reports and results.
www.imco.org
E-mail for further information
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