Olympic Classes for 2012

Originally posted by redback

   nor sure how many people on here have campaign an olympic class full 

time but all classes are expensive! This is because you are sailing for over 

200 days a year, and sailing a lot harder than most people. When we go 

out training we sometimes do over 100 gybes in a day, thats not good on 

the kite at all plus all the hoists and drops. 

The 49er is not cheap but its actually not that bad. To give you an idea a 

new boat including covers, trolley and trick bits costs us about £16000, 

we sell it after 2 years for £10000 so thats £3000 a year loss. A new set 

of sails cost £2500 which we need at least one set a year. Plus its nice to 

have a new mast a year. So a new boat does not really cost that much in 

the overall campaign costs.

Also the new carbon rigs has had issues but they are being resolved and 

the new sails are lasting a lot longer than we first thought. The main 

laminate has got thinner for the square top to work but it is lasting very 

well. In fact the mains last 6 weeks of racing and the jibs and kites last 

between 3/4 depending on breeze. But do not get me wrong it is not 

cheap and i would love cheaper sails, boats and masts but compared to 

the overall costs its not alot.

the 49er is the one class in the olympics that is moving things on, ISAF 

look to the 49er to try and test thing before moving over to other classes. 

I really hope the 49er keeps its place or it is replaced by an even more 

high performance 2 person boat (maybe foiler).