Sail-World New Zealand- June 26, 2012
by . on 26 Jun 2012
Welcome to Sail-World.com's New Zealand newsletter for June 26, 2012
The agony continues in the Windsurfer vs Kiteboarding 2016 Olympic debate. In this edition we have published a rebuttal from one of the Councillors Ajay Balram (IND) and a retraction from one of the accusers, the President of the Windsurfing Association of Singapore.
However these comments and developments should not detract from what happened in Stresa in May 2012. Both really confirm that there was no discussion between the Councillors involved and the involved bodies prior to the Mid-Year meeting. Why? Probably for the simple reason that few thought the matter of the 2016 Windsurfing/Kiteboarding Event would be decided in May, but rather that the decision would be decided in November 2012, at the Annual ISAF Conference.
That sets the scene for discussion between various National Authorities (NA's), as to (a) who will put forward a submission for reversal of the decision and (b) whether the NA's will work with their affiliated members to come up with a decision in accordance with their views, and require their representatives to vote accordingly.
There lies the conundrum for the NA's and ultimately Council. Do they back the views of their affiliated windsurfers, who are usually members of sailing clubs, as well? Or do they turn their backs and opt for the views of a group who are generally not in any form or organised association, but are recreational sailors, and have nothing to do with clubs? Why you would not support your own, is beyond us.
Around lunchtime yesterday, Sail-World NZ received a series of photos of Oracle Team USA trialling foils on their AC45 off San Francisco. While it was expected that most teams would go down this route, the surprising aspect of this development is that the next America's Cup looks set to become contested between hydro-foiling catamarans - with potentially the AC72's being completely foil-borne.
The matter came up, or AC72's rather dominated an international media conference held at Newport overnight. Bob Fisher reports in this edition of Sail-World.com's newsletter. The issue being the limitation of just 30 days sailing in the next six months on the AC72's which should begin being launched in early to mid-July.
This is the period when developments like foils would have been expected to get a thorough working over, prior to starting race training in February 2013, when the second AC72's are launched.
But 30 days is very tight, and the logical thing to do is to stretch his time. However with Artemis Racing sidelined for the time being with a broken wingsail, Team Korea being a later starter, it would only take one of the others, or maybe another late entry to stonewall any extension to the allowable days.
Research undertaken last night indicates that this is not a new development for Oracle Racing, but that they have been sailing with these foils since February - we have a photo of the foil (not a team release either) showing the width of the L-dagger board.
Also featured in this edition of Sail-World s the first of a two part series looking at 3Di sails, following a look through North Sails Auckland loft - where J class sails were flowing out the door at a regular rate. Most of these are in 3Di, which is a substantial step up from the better known 3DL technology.
Locally these sails are featuring in the keelboat racing fleets - Young 88's and were also in evidence at the recent Sail Noumea 2012 start.
We talk with long-time North Sails designer Burns Fallow and Production manager Matt Smeaton, about the new technology and the issues in making the massive J class sails - which weigh 400kgs - and megayacht sails handled by the loft can weigh as much a a tonne.
Coming up this week the America's Cup World Series gets underway and the Volvo Ocean Race also starts its circuit of Practice, ProAm, Inport and Start for the final Leg to Galway, Ireland.
Stay tuned to www.sail-world.com for full coverage of these events.
Many thanks to those who have contributed to this edition, particularly those using our online submission and image loading facility which can be accessed by http://www.sail-world.com/admin/add_story.cfm?rid=6!clicking_here
Good sailing!
Richard Gladwell
NZ Editor
nzeditor@sail-world.com
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