According to a release from US SAILING, the Board of Directors has decided to withdraw a controversial proposal that would require US SAILING membership of racing sailors. The proposal, which was to be inserted into the next edition of the Racing Rules of Sailing, effective Jan. 1, 2009, was to require that anyone who takes the helm in a race must be a member of the national governing body of the sport.

"We have heard from our members and we thank everyone for their input," said US SAILING President Jim Capron in the memo. "Many sailors and sailing organizations have told us that racing sailors should be members, but that their membership should be voluntary. We also appreciate that many of these sailing organizations have indicated their willingness to help grow our membership. We look forward to working with all of you to strengthen both our organization and our sport."