The International Sailing Federation's recent decision to liberalise the advertising code in the racing rules may be about to deliver a miniature windfall for Irish sailors. If the Irish national authority decides at a meeting on Monday to ratify the change, amateur crews could receive considerable help in funding their campaigns.

The revision of the code marks a departure from the three-layer system that has been in place until now: Category A allows no advertising except for an event sponsor and includes a limitation on crew clothing; Category B permits strictly limited branding on the hull and sails and Category C, which is unrestricted, is usually found in major events such as the America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race. This category also requires a payment to the ISAF and local national authorities affected by the particular event.

Under the revised code to be debated by the Irish Sailing Association, the mid-level category will be eliminated, leaving just two streams. If accepted, an option will be retained to allow individual affiliated classes to determine which of the two options is preferred for their own case.

ISA sources have indicated that the likely outcome of the meeting will be to endorse the new Category C code while allowing for individual classes to exempt themselves as appropriate. Individual clubs will not be able to limit the level or nature of advertising, except to declare particular events as either Category A or C. The rule change takes effect from January 1st 2001.