War in Ukraine: Reactions, sanctions & solidarity: How sailing is reacting to the war in Ukraine

The World Sailing Federation, under the leadership of its Chinese President Quanhai Li, reacted late but clearly and in line with the International Olympic Committee: in a statement updated on 1 March, the governing body of international sailing made its position clear:

"Today, World Sailing, together with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other global sports organisations, took the decision to suspend the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in World Sailing events and sanctioned regattas until further notice. By implementing these measures, World Sailing is supporting a unified and coordinated approach within the global sports movement. This decision is in line with the recommendation of the IOC Executive Board, which aims to preserve the integrity of the competitions and ensure the safety of all participants. It was unanimously approved by the World Sailing Executive Board. We now urge our national member federations, affiliated bodies and all event organisers to implement the measure to suspend the participation of Russian or Belarusian athletes and officials in their respective events and competitions. Where this is not possible due to time constraints, organisational or legal reasons, World Sailing advises event organisers, as recommended by the IOC Executive Board, to do everything in their power to ensure that Russian or Belarusian athletes (whether as individuals or teams) and officials participate in a neutral manner: without national symbols, colours, flags or anthems. Both on and off the water, our sport is characterised by the values of equality, respect and fairness. We are now asking our sailing family to unite as a sporting force for good by working with us during this incredibly difficult time."

"Putin, stop this criminal war!"

There was broad international support for the World Sailing Federation's resolution. Like many other classes, the International 2.4mR Association put it into words. Its President and Paralympics winner Heiko Kröger announced: "The International 2.4mR Class Association strongly condemns the violence in Ukraine and hopes for an early end to the hostilities. We expressly support the position of World Sailing." The Finn Class Association added this sentence to its firm endorsement of the sanctions: "We would like to emphasise that it is with heavy hearts that we issue our statement due to the extreme circumstances and hope that all sailors can remain safe and be welcomed back soon."

At the same time, in addition to the broad support for the war-related ban, there are also voices that recall committed and courageous Russian athletes and officials who have been unfairly affected by the exclusion. The experienced Frenchwoman Corinne McKenzie, who has worked for teams and organisations in sailing for 20 years, said: "I support and respect the IOC and the World Sailing decision, but at the same time it breaks my heart that our Russian sailors and friends among the regatta officials are being punished." Many Russian athletes, such as the well-known and popular mini-skipper Irina Gracheva, have spoken out against Putin's war in no uncertain terms. Her appeal on social networks: "Many Russians are against this war. Just like me. Putin, stop this criminal war!"

Even and especially in superyacht circles, crews are turning against their owners. This is reported by the magazine "SuperyachtNews online", among others. One article states: "The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to crews turning their backs on Russian-owned superyachts or even sabotaging them." Click here for the report (please click!). The Spanish newspaper "Diario de Mallorca" had reported that a Ukrainian sailor had been arrested by the police after attempting to sink the 48 metre long motor yacht "Lady Anastasia". In court, the man has since explained that he decided to do so after seeing images of a building full of civilians being hit by a missile.

In solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the condemnation and the resulting sanctions have been accompanied by a huge wave of willingness to help. The support ranges from small private initiatives to broad-based support measures at many levels.

The German sailing leagues are committed to helping Ukrainian refugees, are organising a donation campaign and are ready to transport aid. "The current situation and the images we see in the media every day are unbearable. As sailors and athletes, we know that we have to stand by each other in emergency situations," says Oliver Schwall, Managing Director of Konzeptwerft and Deutsche Segel-Bundesliga GmbH. "Together with our league clubs throughout Germany, we as the German Sailing League are appealing for donations of money and goods that are most urgently needed. In addition, the league clubs and the DSBL have minibuses available for the flexible transport of relief supplies or people to help refugees continue their journey within the EU. We ask all clubs, sailing-related institutions and our partners who want to support us to join our initiative." Click here for details of the aid campaign and tips on how everyone can help (please click!).

Many German sailing clubs have shown their solidarity by flying the Ukrainian flag on or in front of government buildings and town halls across the country. The Blankeneser Segel-Club has done the same, with the blue and yellow colours now flying in front of the boathouse on the banks of the Elbe in Hamburg and next to the clubhouse. Not far away, another huge Ukrainian flag is flying on Hamburg's Süllberg. The initiative came from a group from the Mühlenberger Segel-Club, the Blankeneser Segel-Club and sailmaker and Regnoc driver Frank Schönfeldt. Many German sailing clubs commemorated the event, as did the Lübeck Yacht Club, which published this statement: "Well aware that a show of solidarity alone will not end a war, we would nevertheless like to express on behalf of the Lübeck Yacht Club and its members that our thoughts are entirely with all Ukrainians. We all know what freedom and democracy mean and how valuable they are. The fact that the Ukrainian people now have to defend these values against such aggression leaves us stunned and saddened. Nothing can justify this war!" The club also displays its flag in Ukrainian colours (see picture).