ISAF decisions on Rio 2016 - Kiteboarding, NACRA 17 and Mackay FX

by Paddy Boyd on 11 May 2012 The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) confirmed the final event and equipment selections for the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition at their mid-year meeting in Italy this past weekend. Kiteboarding will replace windsurfing for the men's and women's board events, the Mackay FX, referred to as the 49er FX, will be used for the two person women's skiff and the Nacra 17 joins the Olympic equipment family after being selected for the two person mixed multihull event.

The decision ends months of speculation as to events and equipment in 2016 and is to be welcomed for that alone, but CYA is disappointed for all those young Canadian sailors with ambitions in International windsurfing and those who worked hard delivering windsurfing in Canada.

The selection of the Mackay FX is welcomed by CYA as this decision reflects the views of the Canadian representatives at the evaluation trials. While Canada was not involved with the multihull evaluation, the decision to use the Nacra 17 also reflects the wishes of the sailors and this is supported by CYA’s Athlete Development Committee.

ISAF will be allocating the first 100 boats/rigs according to interest expressed to them by Member National Authorities. Canadian Sailors who are interested in purchasing Mackay FX boats or rigs in the near future should register their intent with the North American distributor - Pitch Pole Skiff Products Inc - Tej Trevor Parekh tej.parekh@mail.mcgill.ca CYA will work with the distributor to determine the distribution of the first boats and rigs allocated to Canada.

A similar process will be used to distribute the first Nacra 17s. In this case, interested parties should register their intent with CYA by email to colleen@sailing.ca

The ISAF Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Committee will consider and make further recommendations to Council on the implementation of the inclusion of kiteboarding at their meeting in November 2012 at the ISAF Annual Conference.

It is not yet known what the consequences of this decision will be for events such as Youth Worlds, Pan-Am Games and World Cups following the 2012 Olympics. Decisions in regard to these events will be made over the next six months or so and until there is clarity, CYA cannot establish selection criteria for events or teams involving windsurfing or kiteboarding.

Consequently CYA will list such criteria as 'To Be Advised' until such time as appropriate information is available. CYA will work closely with the Canadian Kiteboarding Association to provide current and aspiring kiteboarders quality and timely information. Interested parties are encouraged to connect with the CKA to learn more about kiteboarding in Canada.