Please select your home edition
Edition
B&G Zeus SR AUS

Flags on Sails

by IOC Media on 11 Apr 2003
Olympic Sailing over the last 20 years has seen an increase in profile and exposure within the worldwide media, as well as the overall image of the sport, and it is also becoming more spectator friendly and exciting.

Development in the arena of making the sport easier and more attractive to watch has been progressing since the 1988 Seoul Olympics when the country codes on athletes' sails did not even match the recognised IOC three letter country codes.

By the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992, old country codes had been replaced with the now recognisable IOC three letter codes, which were larger than traditional sail letters. This coupled with the sailing regatta's prominent position in the Olympic host city, and an increase in the amount of on water coverage, accelerated the development.

This development continued in 1996 in Savannah (Atlanta), where media coverage was increased again - with live TV coverage, sailors' interviews, easily recognisable boats, again with large three letter codes denoting the athlete’s country, as well as increasing use of the internet and live mark-by-mark rounding updates, all of which really raised awareness of the sport.

Then came Sydney 2000. A new class, the high performance, high spectator value, twin trapeze skiff was to make it’s showcase in the natural amphitheatre of Sydney Harbour and with a perfect billboard advert for the sport, the visual aspect needed to be increased. In order to make things even more exciting for the thousands of sailing spectators around the headlands of Sydney Harbour, and worldwide, country flags were displayed on both mainsails and spinnakers.

49er Medal Winners in Sydney
Following on from the lessons and experiences learnt from Sydney, developments are underway to again display country flags on both mainsails and spinnakers for all eleven of the Olympic Sailing disciplines in 2004. At the Sailing Committee meeting last November in Cyprus, a working party was formed to examine the technical details and challenges facing this provision.

This working party will report it’s progress at the Sailing Committee's mid-year meeting in Southampton (GBR) this coming weekend, 11-12 April, but decisions have already been made for the 2003 Athens Regatta, Pre-Olympic test event and boats in the 470 and Yngling classes will be required to display country flags on spinnakers. The Tornado and 49er spinnaker flags are still under development.

Athens 2004 www.athens2004.com
Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERRooster 2025Sea Sure 2025

Related Articles

29th Superyacht Cup Palma overall
Rose produces historic conclusion to a spectacular event History was made at the Superyacht Cup Palma today when the 24m Wally yacht Rose became the first ever three-time winner of the iconic event, remarkably completing the achievement over three successive years on the Bay of Palma.
Posted on 28 Jun
44Cup Marstrand 2025 overall
Team Nika's golden wheels get shinier While the penultimate day of racing at the 44Cup Marstand was cancelled due to excess wind, today conditions off the paradise Swedish island for the final three races were still boisterous from the lumpy residual sea state after Friday's gale.
Posted on 28 Jun
J/70 Mixed-Plus Worlds at Lake Garda Day 3
Yupi extends its lead, To Nessa climbs on to podium: all eyes on the grand finale in Torbole A busy day full of tactical challenges wrapped up in Torbole Saturday, where the first-ever J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship continues at full speed.
Posted on 28 Jun
Switch Class Captivates Foiling Week 2025
Dickinson and Schultheis Edge Out Narrow Victories The Switch Class brought the fireworks to Foiling Week 2025 — and it came down to the wire. After four days of sun, speed, and suspense on Lake Garda, the newest class on the foiling scene delivered a debut to remember.
Posted on 28 Jun
Vaikobi Launches V-DRY-X
The New Standard in Grand Prix Sailing Dry Gear Vaikobi, a global leader in high-performance ocean sports apparel, is proud to unveil V-DRY-X: a breakthrough range of sailing dry gear engineered for Grand Prix racing and coastal yachting.
Posted on 27 Jun
Rolex Fastnet Race at 100 – the making of a giant
At present 469 yachts have entered this special edition - a far cry from its humble origins in 1925 One month remains until the 26 July start of the Rolex Fastnet Race, this year celebrating both its centenary as well as that of the club it spawned: the Royal Ocean Racing Club.
Posted on 27 Jun
America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. New Zealand website, Newsroom has obtained the confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company.
Posted on 27 Jun
Crew dynamics will be decisive in Course des Caps
Just two days to go before the start of the first race of the eagerly-awaited 2025 IMOCA season With just two days to go before the start of the first race of the eagerly-awaited 2025 IMOCA season, all eyes are on Boulogne-Sur-Mer as 11 crews prepare to race around the British Isles in the Course des Caps-Boulogne sur Mer-Banque Populaire du Nord.
Posted on 27 Jun
29th Superyacht Cup Palma day 2
Linnea Aurora turns the tables as it gets tight at the top A bigger and better breeze welcomed the racing fleet on the second day of the Superyacht Cup Palma 2025, resulting in full-tilt sailing around the 23nm five-leg racecourse.
Posted on 27 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 8
Mourniac & Retornaz take the lead in the Nacra 17 class A dream day ahead of the second weekend at the Kieler Woche regatta off Schilksee: Moderate to fresh westerly winds with strong gusts, alternating sun and clouds, provided ideal sailing conditions for all participants on Friday.
Posted on 27 Jun