Rio on my mind

05/08/2016

The latest sailing news from Asia and the world.
05 Aug 2016

Rio on my mind

The Olympics are almost upon us – tomorrow (Saturday) will see the Opening Ceremony, and then it's full blast for the next 15-odd days, depending on which sport(s) you are following.

It seems like only five minutes since we watching some gargantuan battles taking place in Weymouth. Ben Ainslie (GBR) making a bid to become the most decorated Olympic sailor ever (and succeeding). Annalise Murphy (IRL) dominating the opening races of the Women's Laser Radial. Belcher and Page (AUS) practically whitewashing the Men's 470 fleet.

This year gives us Burling and Tuke (NZL) in the 49er, and it would take a brave man to bet against them for a gold medal, having won 28 of their last 29 major regattas. Giles Scott (GBR) steps into Big Ben's shoes in the Finn class with a similarly exalted record over the last couple of years.

There are plenty of qualifiers from our own part of the world – Singapore has no less than 10 sailors in Rio, beaten on the count only by Japan with 11. China has eight entries, Thailand and South Korea boast four each, Malaysia two, Taiwan just one, and Hong Kong joins in with a pair of windsurfers.

Here's an interesting question: Is an Olympic medal the highest accolade in small boat sailing? Well, that's debatable. Certainly the event only happens every four years, and attracts more visibility, publicity, emotion, hoop-la and pizzazz than any other sailing regatta – and as a result, possibly more stress for the competitors – but the Olympic system allows only one qualifier from any one country, meaning that many of the world's top sailors are immediately disbarred. By definition, an Olympic champion has not triumphed over the best competition in the world – but that's what happens at World Championships. So which is worth more? A Worlds title, or an Olympic gold? Pause for thought.

Standing by on 72.

Guy Nowell, Asia Editor, Sail-World.com

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