Olympic Classes

Originally posted by dinghysolutions

   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.