Voted for iFoil

October 31, 2019

      Voted for iFoil
      At the World Sailing conference, which continues in Bermuda, major events unfold, one of which is a meeting of the equipment committee. Here is what the member of the WS Council, Oleg Ilyin, told the press service of the All-Union Central Federal Assembly:

The main news came at the evening meeting of the committee, which expressed its authoritative opinion on the issue of which sailing board he recommends as the Olympic for 2024.

Voting took place on condition of complete anonymity. As a result, the equipment committee voted for the iFoil class, which, depending on conditions, can put either a file or a pen. Eight votes in favor, two voters abstained, two votes were invalid. Such a decision of the committee is an expected sensation.

Note that so far this is just a recommendation of the equipment committee. The final decision on the Olympic windsurfing class will be made at the very end of the World Sailing conference – at the General Assembly.

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Now we will tell you more about the morning meeting of the committee, which turned out to be rich in information, and sometimes dramatic moments.

A big talk was made by WS Sports Director Alistair Fox. He summed up the results of the pre-Olympic regatta (test event) of 2019. The competition brought together 237 athletes from 49 countries. Many still have chances to be among the Olympians – Olympic licenses are not yet filled, 113 riders in various classes can get them.

Noting the positive aspects in the preparation of the Olympic center and the holding of the regatta, the speaker did not hide the problems that worry riders and the international federation every day. Here are just a few of them.

The issues of radio communication have not been resolved, the details of medical support and safety in general have not been worked out. The issue of whether it is possible to use cooling vests, as well as mobile phones with GPS programs on them, was discussed.

A special discussion was about classes where the provision of material for the Olympic Games is possible. Here we are talking about "Lasers" and RS: X sailing boards. Before the Games less than a year, and contracts with suppliers have not yet been signed. In Lasers, the Japanese unit Sail Performans offers to supply materiel – the company does not refuse, but, at the same time, avoids discussing details and signing a contract. The situation with the boards is even more complicated. The capricious nature of the infamous NeilPryde company, and this time proved to be a magnificent color. Now the company is hinting that they will choose RS: X for 2024, we will give free materiel for the 2020 Olympic Games, but no – no. Time passes, and, as they say, things are still there.

The committee discussed an important aspect of future Games – the control of Olympic equipment. The Committee emphasized that in its strategy it proceeds from the main idea: athletes, racers, and not the material part should win. At the same time, the requirements for equipment are not at all reduced. Control pursues the goals of identity (monotypicity) of yachts and shells, regulation of their cost, standardization of measurement procedures, full transparency, transparency in everything related to measurement and the yachts themselves.

In conclusion, a few words about the L30, which some hastily recorded in the Olympic class. During the year, Rodion Luke's group did a great job debugging class yachts, held the first competitions in Venice and Trieste, and scheduled and included in the World Sailing calendar the Olympic World Championship: offshore doubles regatta in mixed category. Despite all this, the equipment committee has so far refrained from giving L30 class international status, and even more so, it was not about Olympic status. The Committee believes that the class is still too young and not numerous enough – now the yachts are purchased by ten countries in Europe. The yacht itself requires additional testing and refinement. This means that international status may be assigned to class L30 in the near future, possibly next year.

119 October 31, 2019 # 9630
                                                    
      
    

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