Council sticks to the old road

The women's 470 beat the 29erXX 19:16 in the ISAF Council vote. All too predictable that the recommendations of the sub-committees and committees would be rejected, but there we are. Much wailing and gnashing of teeth by young sailors around the world. More later when details emerge.

Comments

[Bill Tucker]

Predictably enough yet another poor decision by general council. Reasonably enough though, the reason for sticking with something of a known quantity with reasonably wide spread around the world (although nothing to write home about) is understandable ( I hope that this isn't too generous an assumption?) with just over 3 years to the next Games. The problem is that this is the natural consequence of the Councils botched decisions last year. Amazing isn't it that one botched decision can have such long lasting effects.

I'd appreciate an anaysis of how the council voted to see whether there has been any change from the duff procedure used last year. In other words is there a light on the horizon to show that the lessons have been learned so that sailing generally becomes the winner rather than vested interests by a small number? Any sign of council giving greater attention to equipment committee decisions? Any movement in requirements that council should at the very least explain itself if it is to fly in the face of it's own specialist sub-committees?

Any sign that council might accept the general principal of general gender equality? I hope some clever analyst can lift the gloom that has descended over the last year over the worlds dinghy sailing waters. I'm tempted to go all Churchillian here with curtains having descended over continent etc...

[orangeman]

really like that final comment Bill;.........I'm tempted to go all Churchillian here with curtains having descended over continent etc...
Very apt.
I shouldn't let this decision get to me, as the result was kinda a formality but I just can't help myself. With the exception of the first and last medal race days, Beijing was like watching paint dry. And this is coming from the most ardent sailing spectator anywhere. Yet given the potential a good venue like Weymouth could bring they choose the same barges as before. How good would it have been to see Ben go for his forth gold in a Musto Skiff or the blondes leaving those Edgington 'Vapour Trails' in a 29XX.
I am aware that ISAF aim to promote racing in all classes but after making this decision for the pinnacle of our sport, I see it as a decision made from people who are too old to be given this responsibility!
I noticed on the ISAF site their current home banner shows a trapeze boat with wings to spice up their site, surely a pic of Star would be more apt.

[grumpy]

you've hit the nail on the head.."With the exception of the first and last medal race days, Beijing was like watching paint dry." The first and last days certainly gave more media interest than the rest of the two week. Why? It was windy? It was exciting and interesting, even with the three slowest boats in the fleet

It's not about classes, it's about wind, venue, personalities and drama. Classes are largely irrelevant, though we need classes that will attract people who the media are interested in. All IOC really want is increased media interest to make a return. The Tornado and 49er don't necessarily attract more media interest because they are fast. That's a myth. Compared with the closeness of the Star or Yngling race, the Tornado race was boring.