The Times, sport section today (11/04)

Theres a whole page on sailing! Actually its more on Quingdao but still. 

I know anyone with a brain has been thinking about this for a while (ie anyone who sails) but how crap is the 2008 Olympics going to be for sailing?  This could spell the death for any enthusiasm that has been created by Athens in the UK.  The Times reports that the average windspeed is 3 to 4 knots, and max is about 10 knots over a 2 week period.  The racing is going to be absolutely rubbish!  Ynglings and Stars wont move, 9er crews will spend the regatta on the foredeck, and the 470's will drift along the super short courses (might as well take off the trapezes, they add weight and aerodynamic drag ).  Lasers will roll tack up the beat, roll gybe down the run and all get rule-42'd. 

Does everyone share my opinion that putting sailing in a wind-less venue is probably the worst thing that can happen to a sport that struggles for interest outside of the "hardcore" (ie us)?  What are our boys (ie Team GBR) like in the light winds?

CW

Well the only thing i can say is lets all look forward to 2012 when its at weymouth.  Every time ive raced there, it's been turbo windy so hopefully it will set the scene just nicely to showcase sailing. 


Doug

isnt there a weird/silly rule about the last race now that could give some fluked results in the light winds expected. Im not impressed, still weymouth should be good and i have voluntered to help so hopefully ill be there!

if you mean the one about the last race acting as a medal race and counting double on points, yeh its stupid. it just wont work, sailing reggatas are about consistency so the last race is no more important than the first on 7th or 53rd if you have that many races.  its stupid

It seems most people are talking the sailing down in 2008. My understanding of the weather is it is "good" sailing or no sailing at all (either a reasonable breeze or no breeze at all). Therefore the "dodgy" light air races (under 5 knots) are unlikely to take place. Anyway any major regatta you go to the wind is "never normally like this"... Why should the Olympics be any different!!!