World Sailing Review of Events for 2024 Paris Olympics
World Sailing’s mid year meeting was held last weekend in London. One high profile subject discussed was the sailing events and equipment to be used in the 2024 Paris Olympics (Marseille).
At the 2017 November World Sailing meeting it was resolved for the 2024 Olympics to keep the 49er, 49erFX, the mixed Nacra 17, the Laser and Laser Radial and to review the 470, Finn and RS:X Boards. There has been (and still is) much heartfelt concern and debate about the dropping of the traditional Olympic boats the Finn and 470 which have been in the games since 1952 and 1976 respectively. There is a post below covering this issue.
The WS decisions on the review last weekend are HERE .
In summary the current five RS:X, Finn and 470 events are to be replaced with;
- Men’s Windsurfer
- Women’s Windsurfer
- New Event, Mixed One-Person Dinghy
- New Event, Mixed Two Person Dinghy
- New Event, Mixed Kiteboard
The equipment to be used and the format of the new events will be evaluated further and discussed at the 2018 WS Conference later this year and final decisions taken in December 2020. There is a humorous take on the decision HERE however imagination and some difficult decisions will be needed to deliver on the WS goals for these new events.
As for the Laser while the event and format is retained for the 2024 Olympics the equipment supply will be evaluated later this year in a process which WS term “anti-trust review”. This review will look at all aspects of the Laser equipment including suitability for the Olympic Event, prices, manufacturing, availability and supply around the world. The final outcome of the review is expected in November 2018. Given the current testy relationship with the world’s largest Laser supplier the outcome of this review is somewhat uncertain.
