MISSA News

NWISA,

To begin, we would like to recognize and commend sailors, families and high school programs for making, and adhering to, many tough decisions in the past week in regards to the discontinuation of high school sailing operations in our District. None of these have been easy decisions: suspending practices and canceling regattas is an unprecedented move, and has understandably led to uncertainty and heartbreak, especially for our seniors. We are focused on the light at the end of the tunnel and are hopeful that there will still be In-District high school sailing opportunities, in some form, later this spring.  

ISSA released this statement after an emergency board meeting last night:

 

Statement from the ISSA Board (2020-3-19) 

The ISSA Board of Directors has canceled the following Spring 2020 ISSA regattas; Mallory, Baker, NIT, Phoebe Corckran King, and all District Championships (and their qualifiers). All other ISSA sanctioned high school regattas are cancelled through May 1, 2020. It is the intent of the ISSA Board to make a decision on the rest of the season in terms of District, league and local regattas no later than May 1, 2020. 

We make this decision out of an abundance of care for the safety of our athletes, their parents, the coaches, the race officials, & the volunteers. While it is disappointing to all of us, we know it is the responsible thing to do at this time.

 

To be absolutely clear, this cancels our scheduled district championship events (Fleet at Bellingham and Team at SSP) and the corresponding national championships (Mallory and Baker) will not be held in 2020.

All other NWISA regattas through May 1st are also canceled. If ISSA gives the go-ahead for regattas to return, NWISA (and event hosts) will attempt to run the scheduled regattas in the month of May (Port Townsend Open, Oregon State Championships) as well as attempt to schedule additional regional or district regattas, if allowed by local, state, and/or federal guidelines.

NWISA recommends all high school sailing programs follow their school district's closure guidelines in the interest of public safety during this crisis and suspend practices/group sailing activities during school closures. Provide adequate communication and education, if necessary, for sailors and families as to the severity of this crisis in our area and why these decisions have been made. These cancelations and practice suspensions are necessary in order to support our broader community during the impending outbreak. Especially health care workers, grocery store/pharmacy workers, and other essential personnel that will be taxed during this crisis and in constant danger of becoming ill on the job. 

Together, we will slow the transmission of this virus and eventually get back to normal life. We look forward to seeing high school sailing back on the water as soon as possible.

 

Signed, the NWISA Officers:

 

Nino Johnson
Sarah Hanavan
Erik Mann
Haley Lhamon
Scott Wilson