Antonio de la Madrid recently joined the Secretariat of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) in the role of Competitions Manager.

Antonio is particularly responsible for the ISAF Youth World Championships, ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship, ISAF World Match Racing Tour, ISAF Nations Cup, ISAF Team Racing Championship and supports the busy Competitions department.

The Competitions Department is responsible for supporting a wide range of ISAF activities. The department works closely with ISAF Committees and Commissions, the IOC, event organisers, the Olympic Classes and race officials from around the world. The department is directly responsible for the day to day management of the Olympic Games and all ISAF Events. Developing International Race Officials around the world, managing the Events Calendar, publishing the World Rankings and developing the Racing Rules of Sailing are other key activities.

Antonio originates from Seville in Spain where he started working in the sailing world some twenty year ago. He combined his job at a savings bank whilst training the kids at his local club, Club (Nautical Club of Seville) and the Andalusian Sailing Federation. During that time he developed training programmes for sailboards and youth sailors, some of which are still running to this day. .
.
Latterly, he decided to turn his hobby into his profession and in 1998, moved to Palma de Mallorca. Since then, he has been professionally involved in many different branches of sailing (coach, race official, regatta organization, sailing school) at all levels with the same aim: the development of the sport of Sailing.

Jerome Pels, Secretary General of ISAF said, “I am really pleased to welcome Antonio to the busy Competitions Team. His background and experience will be a definite asset to the department and we look forward to his involvement in this growing area of the ISAF business.”