Olympic Classes

Originally posted by Stefan Lloyd Originally posted by Guest#260 The test is more a test of sailing ability rather than a mix of sailing ability and the ability to squeeze an extra 0.5% performance from the equipment. That's a rather limited view of what "sailing ability" means.

Semanitics rather than limited view.

Our sport is complex with many skills required to win - different classes require different mix of skills.

Classes with controlled equipment e.g. Laser focus really on the sailors ability to sail the boat rather than the sailors ability to develop the equipment. That is the point I am making.

Rick

Originally posted by 7250 Look at the title of the document. That is just a submission to the meeting, not a final decision, and it relates to the 2008 games. Those classes have now been decided, so I'm not sure that document or your interpretation of it carries any weight at all. I'm sorry, but I still don't think I've seen any convincing arguments as to why a change to the MPS would result in a better test of the sailors, that it would better reflect the type of sailing that people do and are likely to do in future, or seen any proper evidence that it would, of itself, substantially increase Olympic TV viewership. Surely if skiff classes are the solution to problems of audience appeal, then we should have already have seen a substantial benefit from having the 49er in the games. Has it worked? The 49er (and the turboed Tornado Sport) have been in for 2 games now. The continuing angst suggests that it hasn't, so logically adding another "exciting" skiff class isn't the solution.

I have never said it is a better test - just a different test that would be more fun to watch.

The test is more a test of sailing ability rather than a mix of sailing ability and the ability to squeeze an extra 0.5% performance from the equipment.

From what was seen in the UK of the last 2 games I would say that TV coverage had increased; but that is probably due to the improved medal hall of Team GBR.

As for WW coverage of sailing I have no idea of the viewing/broadcasting figures - anyone know?

Rick

If we look at the criteria below for the open single hander how would each class score?

Apart from the "Scope for development" the MPS has a tick in all the boxes and that COULD be accomodated by opening the sailmaker IF the class wanted to.

How do people think the Finn would score on those 5 points?

Fast?, "Buzz"?, Media Appeal? etc ...

These are the ISAF criterial.

Rick

 

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Sorry DS, this was not a personal atrtack at you but a reaction to the comment "Sailing would be better off not being in the olympics at all." which I am sick of hearing. You obviously have some knowledge in this area but a lot of people who pass comment are totaly oblivious to what happens in an Olympic campaign, how and where funding is available and how devlopments in the Olympic classes benifit other classes.

Originally posted by dinghysolutions Its harder to win a world title than a olympic medal

Many in the Olympic circles may disagree with you here and some may agree. This is more personal opinion. I believe that whilst being equally difficult to win, an Olympic Gold would be a longer term commitment. I am sure Forbes would agree that a Gold was more difficult for him personaly as he has won most major Euro events including 6 World Chapionships, however a Gold has eluded him.

Also as you agreed there is a benifit to sailing being in the Olympic in regards to funding , coaching, etc . This level of funding resulting in the level of profesionalism teams are at now would not have been available to sailing if it was not in the Olympics...... It would have gone to another sport.

Originally posted by dinghysolutions f sailng was not olympic then you would find that the level of sailing in most classes would increase as you dont have 6 people going for the 1 spot and they move to a class that is much more fun to sail.

I disagree with this.... I don't believe the level of competition would raise at all, however may drop. I know this sounds crazy but The Olympic classes are creating sailors with skill levels far beond what would be achieved by non profesional sailing. These skills and techniques are passed onto others in their respective classes (to a degree) and to other classes as current an ex Olympic Campainers and sailors from Olympic classes move into other classes.

Also you have to realise that these individuals would not be at the level thay are at now if it was not for Olympic development and funding.

Whilst the Olympics have benifited sailing, I do believe that the Olympics in not only sailing, has reached a very unhealthy level. No longer is it a competition for Ametures as it was originaly. Now you must be personaly very financial first, willing to put your career, relationships and life on hold for an oportunity you may never get. You must also spend you own $$$ to campaign, then achieve top 10 results before you even see any funding from our national bodies.

 

Originally posted by dinghysolutions I race a FD and that class was Olympic and now it is a class that has great racing with still good numbers at a world title. Once I said FDs should be Olympis, I think I was wrong. The class does not need it , its great how it is

This may be the case with the FD class, however I have doupts about the future of the Tornado class if it was dropped or if sailing was dropped from the Olympics. Olympic develoment has increased the quality of the Tornado to levels unmatched by any other production catamaran and the price also reflects this.... Some 50 to 80% more expensive than an equivilent size boat. However the Tornado was originaly designed as the Multihull class for the Olympics, so members of the class can not winge about the classes inclusion..... If you don't like it, do not join the class.

Originally posted by dinghysolutions I know that my helm and I have considerd doing another Olympic campagain. To do that we looked at the type of boats we could sail.....tornado (maybe),

In Oz, take a look at the F-18 class..... Campaign an F-18 here and either charter a T for off shore events or purchase a T and keep it in Europe. 2007 World Champs for F-18s are @ Vincentia and 2008 Tornado Worlds (last qualifing event) are in NZ. Expect to see quiet a few International teams in Oz and NZ over the next few years...... SIRs, Sail Melb, Sail Auckland.

Turnturtle

If you're going to sell a sport on the basis of its excitement, then it better be damn exciting, because you're going to be competing with true extreme sports for a half-hour space-filling spot on ESPN.

I'm sorry but I think the "excitement" difference between a Finn race and an MPS race, in typical Olympic conditions, is so very small compared to the difference between an MPS race and tow-in surfing as to be almost non existent to the average punter or TV exec.

In fact, watch the individual races on the video of the Athens Olympics. Of all the classes (not considering the Finn because of my bias) I honestly think the 470 men's race in a big breeze actually looks the most exciting, and certainly looks most like a test of the athletes. Maybe it's because the 470s are more directly affected by the waves and don't just skim over or through them.

The problem is that if you push excitment to the average Joe and fail, then you're just left with pretty pictures of colourful boats, and that is death.

But what about the alternative; really drawing the punters into the race, the contest, the experiences of the sailors themselves? After all, the drama that makes all successful Olympic events great comes from the competitors and the competition, not from any whizz bang equipment. If you want thrilling equipment to be the star, then go for monster trucks.

Think of the difference between road cycling and BMX, both variations on the same theme. The latter is far more visually exciting. The former can capture and maintain an audience of 100s of millions for weeks on end.

Edited by 7250