Olympic Classes

Bumble, I agree with all of that. However there are nice chunks of lottery money coming into sailing clubs here and there, and I suspect that the visibility of sailing as a sport Britain actually wins some medals in, helps to achieve that. So I still think Olympic sailing benefits the grassroots.

Originally posted by Blobby Originally posted by dinghysolutions Take the B14 worlds just run, all either from Uk or AUS. How does that make it "international". Last time I looked Oz was now an independent country... so I guess that means there were at least 2 countries participating..and since they are on opposite sides of the world it definitely includes both the north & south hemisphere as well as the east and west hemisphere.  You can't get more international and global than that surely?

Doesn't even come close to what the isaf regulations have to say on qulification as an international class, and I think it struggles on recognized class status as well if indeed it is only the Brits and Aussies competing.

http://www.sailing.org/regulations/2006_partV.PDF

for International: 6 member national authourities from 3 continents and a boats per country qualification.

for Recognized: at least four member national authorities or 3 member authourities from 2 continents, and a boats per country qualification. 

I can't think of hearing about many b14s from other places, certainly in enough numbers to meet the boats per country quota. So I can only assume that isaf has used 26.2.1 to waive the requirement in the B14's case as apparently it serves a "unique aspect of sailing."   So internationally recognized on a technicality. Other classes have to call that event the interdominions or something. Not exactlu "international." great boat though.

Observation Trials – Women’s High Performance Multi-crewed Dinghy

In November 2005, ISAF approved Submission 077-05 from the Danish Sailing Association proposing an Observation Trials for a Women’s High Performance Multi-Crewed Dinghy in the Summer/Autumn of 2006.

In order to give a more realistic timescale for manufacturers to respond to the invitation to participate in the trials, the Executive Committee has agreed to amend the original observation trials date from 2006 to Spring 2007, most probably in April. The fundamental criteria which the boats to be evaluated will be:

• High Performance – The dinghy must be able to sail faster off the wind than on the wind;
• Main Target – Female crews (average combined weight 120-140 kgs)
• Safe – Easy to recover by the crew after capsize and without any external help.
• Lowest cost as possible – The lightest hull weight possible, targeting a price of €14,500 (Euros), ex-works, ready to sail. Closed class rules.
• Optional Characteristics – Twin Trapeze. Asymmetric Spinnaker.

In addition, the class must have the unquestioned ability to meet the requirements of International Class status within a reasonable time, along with worldwide availability of materials and opportunity for construction.

Most recent trials have been held in Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy and in Quiberon, France. ISAF will consider these and other venues to host the observation trials in Spring 2007.

The timing will allow due time for consideration of the outcome of the trials for further debate at the 2007 ISAF Annual Conference in Athens, Greece.

The full invitation and event brief will be issued soon, but in the meantime any queries should be directed to secretariat@isaf.co.uk.

Originally posted by Tornado_ALIVE.   "What will happen to development"...... Answer, it will slow down dramaticaly.

It is pretty questionable whether intensive development applied to a handful of tightly-defined OD classes actually has that much effect on the sport as a whole. AC is different since 12M and IACC boats are development classes, not ODs.

Edited by Stefan Lloyd

Originally posted by Tornado - Alive I tell you Sailing coaches, sail makers (that work along side team), Sport Nutritionists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Doctors, Team Managers ect.......  These jobs will be lost.  Most of these could move onto working with the new Olympic sport but Coaches and Sail makers will loose work and many may not have a job.....  Yes these are peoples careers on the line.  Jobs created in our sport because of the Olympics.

Call me a stinking capitalist but I don't think anyone has the right to a job, just because they have it already, no matter how it is paid for. The worry that sports nutritionists or coaches will have to do a real job is motivation enough for me to axe the whole thing.

Originally posted by Tornado ALIVE Read my comments.....  The format in the Olympics could be better and I believe they should look at the Volvo format......  That was my point.....  What is yours???

My point is really just to sit on the fence and wind you up. I do however side with myself and Stefans last post, the development argument for keeping the Olympics is weak, very weak. When I said 'like its always been' I am identifying non profit, non Olympic campaigners have been driving the development of sailing as a sport for as long as it has been as we know it. The Tornado may be a better boat for it, but boats in general have improved/developed in spite of the Olympics, not because of it.

I love the look of the Volvo format, but the Olympics cannot accomodate that level of sponsor satifaction and as mentioned before detracts from truely great events such as by parading as the summit of sporting achievement - which it is cos you say it is.... right?