eMailbag - Multihull Olympic controversy builds

by Various correspondents on 27 Nov 2007
The controversy over the dropping of the Multihull event from the Olympics continues to build. One of the countries in the centre of the controversy is New Zealand, who are part of Area L, and who did not vote for the Multihull event, while the other Area L representative, from Australia, did so.

Questions must also be asked of US Sailing who put forward submissions supporting the multihull event, but representatives from their area voted against the Event's inclusion.

Over 4700 people have signed the online petition, to do so http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/multihullinolympics/index.html!click_here

From Brett Sellers on Yachting NZ’s ISAF vote

Ever since I was young I can remember looking at photos of my dad on the podium at the Olympics and watching Tornadoes sailing and I thought I’m going to do that when im older.

Ever since finishing with Starlings I've sailed catamarans. Starting with Hobie 16s and moving on to Tornadoes about two years ago. In Austria last year sailing F-18s at the ISAF worlds I had a 3-lap battle with two time gold medallist Roman Hagara only to be just pipped on the finish line. That’s when I thought sure its only one race but these guys can be beaten if I set my mind to it. I can do it.

Yachting New Zealand’s recent decision to vote the multihull out of the Olympics, whilst not decisive in the end helped end my dream.

I have heard reasons for this like well we have no young up and coming sailors. I'm 21 years old.

In a class historically dominated by experience it means I probably have two decades of opportunity ahead of me. As for they’re being no potential I recently came 27th (17th country) in the Cascais worlds and had a best race result of 6th. Sure while this doesn’t deserve any special mention or qualify the country if that doesn’t show potential in only my first year of un-funded campaigning then I don’t know what does. Enrique Figueroa, a catamaran legend finished 28th and Roman Hagara only 20th.

There is a lot of potential for the multihull fleet in New Zealand if it is promoted. It is possible for women to succeed as Carolijn Brouwer showed finishing second at the 2007 Worlds.

There are plenty of good boats around in New Zealand for under $15000 and sails etc last for years not regattas like most other classes. A brand new Tornado is half the price of a new Star.

Also considering the current gold medallist is 43 years old I hardly feel that Tornados favour young or fit sailors. The 49er perhaps yes. And a lot of knowledge also available from people who have had success in the past with New Zealand having 1, 2, 4 and 5 at the Olympic Games.

I understand that New Zealand needs Olympic medals immediately but I believe there has been little provision made for the future (i.e. 2012 and beyond).

Whilst it is sad for me that my Olympic dreams are probably over I think its even sadder for yachting that the multihull will no longer be in it and that New Zealand helped that happen.

Sincerely
Brett Sellers
Multihull sailor


From Staurt Scott, Hobie Fleet 46 - Comments on the YNZ Olympic Committee Recommendation for Classes to be sailed in 2012 Olympics.

The decision by YNZ not to support the Tornado as an Olympic Class seemed very unusual to me. Historically our best Olympic yachting results ever have been won in the Tornado.

This expertise and skill is still available to the current Tornado skippers.

Internationally our Tornado skippers and sailing venues are well regarded, certainly to the extent that the next Tornado world championships are being held from the Takapuna Boating Club early 2008.

Yachting NZ should support this event as it will help our local Tornado fleet rise in the international rankings and improve our Olympic medal chances. (should the Tornado be readmitted.)


Other Comment
- The Hobie Fleet is not aware of any consultation via its Fleet organization regarding Olympic Classes.

- The Hobie16 Fleet is regarded by many people as the most competitive small boat class worldwide.

- Hobie 16’s have a regular international and national regatta circuit. New Zealand is well represented on these circuits.

- The Hobie16 is regarded as an excellent feeder class for the Tornado Catamaran. It is not unusual for the top skippers to sail both. (at different times).

- In the 2007 year to date 17 New Zealand Hobie16 crews have competed internationally in the following events.

o Thailand National Championships
Two crews competed, best position 3rd place (fleet of 15)

o South Pacific Championships - Fiji
Three crews competed, best position (fleet of 22)

o ISAF World Youth Champs -Canada
One Crew competed, 6th place (fleet of 12)

o Hobie 16 World Champs – Fiji
15 Crews competed

Best Places

Second in Grand Masters (Fleet size 18)
Fifth in Womens (Fleet size 21)
Fourteenth in Youth (Fleet size 24)
Thirteenth & Fourteenth in the masters (Fleet size 38)
Sixteenth in the open (fleet size 112)

Based on the above list, to infer that there is no depth in multihull racing in NZ is not correct.

Regards
Stuart Scott
Fleet 46


From Bruce Kendall, Olympic and Bronze medalist and now a Tornado sailor :

I am still concerned that yachting may be dropped from the Olympic Games if one of the most exciting disciplines is dropped.

There is a growing tide of support to keep the multi hull in the Olympic Games internationally and try and reverse the ISAF decision. You can read most of New Zealand's comments below.

There is also growing international out rage that the New Zealand delegate voted against a class that New Zealand is hosting the World Championship in February 2008.

I would like to think the New Zealand vote will be reversed. This needs your help.

The names of those who voted against the Multi Hull in the ISAF meeting may go down in history as those responsible for sailing being dropped from the Olympic Games as it is not exciting enough to show on Television for 2016.

The ISAF system for voting which disciplines are Olympic is flawed. The ISAF events committee recommended the multi hull stay for a variety of well debated and good reasons. Unfortunately the nations have the final say with there vote and they rarely vote for the health of the sport internationally, they are mostly interested in what classes they are strongest in and have the best chance to win medals.

Having the nations voting for which disciplines remain Olympic is not a good system at this time in yachting history as again they have proven they do not focus on keeping sailing in the Olympic Games as they do not choose enough media friendly classes. They have had a history of poor decisions regarding Olympic classes and they cannot know which classes they will be strong in 8 years time. Naturally Olympic Sailors will move to what ever is the Olympic Class if it is affordable and keep trying to go to the Olympic Games if it is possible.

The Olympic Yachting event at one time was inclusive by allowing every nation one entrant per class. This gave yachting an advantage over other Olympic sports that had qualifications such as track and field and swimming etc. The yachting event has fundamentally changed and now restricts entry by international performance so only the top performing nations may attend and the medal race is a further attempt to do this. This puts yachting on the same footing as other sports and so yachting needs to gain some extra media appeal by showing very exciting to watch disciplines. High speeds are the best way to achieve this.

As I understand TVNZ was responsible for filming the Olympic Yachting event in Athens. I watched the coverage in Athens and was pleased to see how well it was done.

As I understand, for the Athens Olympics minimal yachting was shown in New Zealand - but