2016 events?

Originally posted by Peaky   Out of interest, how do they define "skiff"?  Its been debated long and hard on forums with no definitive answer.  Whilst clearly it isn't one, if the 470 class put themselves forward for the Women's Skiff, there is no means of saying its not eligable.  Without a definition, any boat could claim to be a skiff - even a Star!

I suppose it's leaning toward an overpowered lightweight (for it's size) planing hull with twin trapeze, powered downhill by a large masthead asymmetric spinnaker. But the I suppose the 49er fits all of those apart from the weight, at 120kg you can't say they are light!

Originally posted by Peaky The 800 kite isn't masthead, so would you not let that at least enter the trials when selecting the womens skiff? And if you allow the 800 would wou allow the 4000? And if you allow the 4000 would you allow the 400? And...

Nope, not unless they changed it to letting the crew take the mainsheet off the boom.

Originally posted by tgruitt Originally posted by Peaky   Out of interest, how do they define "skiff"?  Its been debated long and hard on forums with no definitive answer.  Whilst clearly it isn't one, if the 470 class put themselves forward for the Women's Skiff, there is no means of saying its not eligable.  Without a definition, any boat could claim to be a skiff - even a Star! I suppose it's leaning toward an overpowered lightweight (for it's size) planing hull with twin trapeze, powered downhill by a large masthead asymmetric spinnaker. But the I suppose the 49er fits all of those apart from the weight, at 120kg you can't say they are light!

Edited by Menace - 12 Nov 10 at 10:51pm

good grief, wondering if i've awoken in a parallel dimension right now! they actually dropped the Star and two 470 events and brought back a multi... un-freakin-believable, if this sort of thing carries on the ISAF might get a reputation for listening to sailors rather than just being an entrenched talking shop.... good oh, on to endless debate & speculation about the trials me thinks...

Edited by getafix - 13 Nov 10 at 8:44am

Originally posted by getafix if this sort of thing carries on the ISAF might get a reputation for listening to sailors rather than just being an entrenched talking shop

But which sailors: those from the rich west who make lots of noise on the Internet and whose countries will put up a full team no matter what or those from the third world who have never seen a skiff or any multi other than a Hobie 16? And are those the ones they *should* be listening to?

Originally posted by slop_idol I believe i read somewhere that the ioc dont want the distinction of "heavyweight" for some reason, dont know why they allow that particular distinction in boxing and other events though? Also i think the ioc are trying to move away from "mixed events" but include more women at the same time.

This is where it all gets complicated... the IOC seem to change their guidelines every year or at least every 4 years. If you think ISAF management is byzantine the IOC seem to be on another level. I'm afraid I haven't done the research to see what they are currently saying, but I have gained the impression that while mixed doubles was vastly disapproved of last time its now considered OK again... The weight thing was a few years ago: I don't know what the current position is but I think a lot of it was not wanting medals for the same event in light-flyweight, medium-light-flyweight, flyweight, medium-heavy-fly weight, heavy-flyweight, light-featherweight etc etc, but as I say I am not up to date on this.

While I hold no brief for lead iin general and the Star in particular I do wonder that if there are only 8 match racing keelboats in the main games what is going to happen to the Paralympics where keelboat facilities are pretty much essential? Will future organisers bother? Especially in countries which put a lower value on political correctness...

I don't think there are any easy answers though...