David IRISH

ISAF Vice-President

Date of Birth: 2 January 1937
Nationality: American
First Language: English

ISAF Responsibilities

Areas: North America and the Caribbean

Empirical Handicap Sub-Committee
Events Committee
International Regulations Commission
Oceanic Sub-Committee
Offshore Committee
Professional Sailing Development
Racing Rules Committee
Special Regulations Sub-Committee
Technical Department  

Personal Profile

Sailing Career

9 years to present racing my MUMM 30, in US and Canada. World Champoinship September 04 Plus two earlier Worlds, 5 Key West Race Weeks, 7 or 8 300 mile+/- Mackinaw offshore races, Mumm 30 North Americans, plus local. 
Race 32’ local class of open keelboats for 50 years to present.
Race Laser locally to present.
Raced sailboards in ‘80’s including age class North American champion on the Waler board.
Offshore racing, as crew;  Transatlantic ’92, US team Admirals Cup mid '80’s, US team Sardinia Cup late ‘80’s, US team Onion Patch and Bermuda race (won) mid ‘80’s, Kenwood Cup in Hawaii late ‘80’s, Miami to Jamaica twice, 14 SORC’s ‘70’s and ‘80’s, total number of Mackinaw races around 40, both skipper and crew, 30’ to 80’ boats.
IOR Level Rating racing, ½ Ton Worlds ’75, ¾ Ton Worlds ’76, 1 Ton North Americans-1 as crew, 2 as skipper, 2 Ton NA’s and Worlds.
Raced dinghies in college, owned and raced a Flying Dutchman in early ‘60’s.
Raced last 5 years in the invitational “St. Francis Masters Regatta”, two years as crew, three as skipper.
Competed as skipper in the “Prince of Wales” national match racing competition in the early ‘80’s. 

Sailing Administration

Offshore Racing Council Councillor representing United States for 16 years ending 1990. Served on Policy Steering Group, Level Rating Classes Committee, and 3 years as Deputy Chairman of the ORC.
Many years working within US SAILING, (MNA), International Offshore Rule Committee and Chairman, Offshore Committee and Chairman, Executive Committee, Vice President, and three years as President. One of the developers of the US SAILING Competitor Classification system and Chairman. Chaired Nominating Committee for three years.
A founder and director of the Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation, a regional sailing organization within US SAILING.
Long time director of the Little Traverse Yacht Club, with 2 years served as Commodore. 
Presently serve on the “Fales Committee”, advisory to the Superintendent of the US Naval Academy on their sailing and seamanship programmes.

Roles within ISAF

Member of International Offshore One Design Committee from time of its formation.
Member of Keelboat Committee 4 years to present
Council member for Group P - 4 years to present

Other significant experiences

My livelihood is derived from ownership and operation of two Boatyard/Marinas in the Northern part of Michigan which are specialized to serving sailboats. 
I have been involved in two public sailing schools for many years as instructor, founder, director, supporter.