Did ISAF make the right decision?

For supplied boats at the olympics I believe (correct me if i'm wrong) they are issued to teams randomly at the start of the event for its duration. 

In the case of the 49er the multiple builders were primarily to ease world supply and to increase build capacity. 

Major problem with supply of items via the event organiser is quality control.

There have in the past been some real mares at World Championship level where boats have leaked, delaminated, masts not 100% etc. Also if an open class for supply like the 49er, if builder supplier as in 2000 at Sydney, you do get varients. Best policy is strict measurement programs and close scrutiny of kit. Keeps the evnt costs down and enables the competitor to have familiarity in kit. Give a big team like Team GBR 2 - 3 days working on a boat and it will be very different to any other in the fleet so the point of supplied boats is lost.

Its elite sailing and accept it. It will always cost and so it should within reason as the time/training/travel investment is far greater. Been there, done it, got very close but Sponsors had major cash flow problem. So stopped as running on empty and spent the next 2 years digging myself out of the mess. Best policy is do the youth program and go and get some real quality sailing at someone elses expense and sail dinghies as a hobby.

Bye for now