Important announcement from the Tornados

Originally posted by PobodysNerfect

   Hi All

The structure of the Tornado
class has gone through many changes over the past 11 months. The Tornado
Class/Multihull community became to complacent believing that multihull was safe
and would always be part of the Olympic program, this lead to a major shock to
us all at the 2007 Annual ISAF meeting in November. There has been a lot of
work done to overturn this decision. It was decided that the ITA needed a fresh
new look and a more hands on approach within ISAF. At the 2008 ITA AGM in New Zealand
in February a new committee was elected based on current high profile sailors
within the class to make ourselves more presentable to ISAF and improve the
working relationship. The first assignment was the ISAF mid years meeting,
where we had a huge mountain to climb, firstly in changing their feeling and
perception of our discipline, and to reinstate the class back into the 2012
Olympics. A very successful job was done on the first part of this mission, and
due to the lobbying of ourselves and other multihull enthusiasts we managed to
convince ISAF council not to reaffirm their November 2012 Olympic decision on a
simple majority. Unfortunately due to ISAF regulations we need a 2/3 majority
to change which at this stage was a to bigger hurdle. 

At this point it seemed that there was no where left to go, so our efforts
turned to putting the multihull back in the picture for 2016 and then hopefully
the smallest chance would be left for the 11th medal to be included for 2012.
The ITA currently have submissions in for the 2008 November ISAF meeting to
overturn the 2012 decision, for formal ISAF submissions to the IOC with regards
to the 11th medal, and to secure multihull for the 2016 Olympic Games. The
feedback we are getting is that we have gone in the right direction and there
is a good chance for the multihull to be included for the future.

During the 2008 Olympic Games information was revealed that discussions were
underway within the IOC with regards to a submission submitted by Paul
Henderson and supported by ISAF with regards to the 11th medal 

The current situation is that there is no multihull event for 2012. However, we
believe the submission to the IOC to maintain the 11th medal for 2012 has
gained significant momentum and may be our final shot of seeing a multihull
compete in 2012.  Hence we need to be prepared.

The ITA has nothing in writing from the ISAF that one design is the way that
they would like to proceed however from talks with ISAF members/officials,
 National member associations with regards to the current perception of
the class we have continuously been directed in this direction. The message
from ISAF is very clear that we need to move to complete one design. Our class
has a negative perception of being a high development class, with equipment
advantages. Many of the ISAF believed if we went head to head with Hobie Tiger
today we would loose purely as they are seen to be one design and this is not
on the cost issue.

Despite there being many arguments fore/against one design. The ITA Committee
along with the Tornado Technical Committee have agreed with the sole purpose of
maintaining Olympic Status we see no disadvantage of complete one design. The
Committees propose the Class moves to complete one design.

Our message needs to be clear and to the point “ Tornado has gone
complete one design, it is the high performance multihull version of the 49er
without any quality compromise”

There are many reasons for ISAF to want this change;

Increase participation into
     the sport/class. Easier entry. 
Reduce equipment costs 
more accessible to remote
     nations and nation participation. This is very important to ISAF to keep
     sailing secure in the Olympics. 
eliminate class rule loop holes

Increase youth participation.

eliminate equipment
     advantages 
Reduced Cost of Campaign will
     also allow for higher participation. 
Level playing field. The best
     sailing team wins. Sailor against sailor. 
minimise the gap between club
     racers and professionals 
encourage single cycle
     Olympic campaigns

There is a lot of support for this to take place. ISAF, MNA’s, Youth
sailors, many national sailors and even the vast majority of the Olympic
Sailors are keen for this to take place, in order to maintain Olympic status
and to increase the popularity of the Tornado. 

It is IMPORTANT to point out that
the change taking place will have minimal effect on the current Tornado
equipment in use and the cost for this change will be very well scrutinised. It
will be a strategic change over time with a grandfathering of old equipment. It
is also important to realise that this major change will only take place
providing we regain Olympic selection for the 2012 Olympics. But in order to put
some continued positive pressure on the situation and to ensure we are MOST
suitably positioned for the battle for the Olympic spot, we need to inform the
world of our intentions to retain our Olympic status.

Regards

The ITA Committee