470 class confirmed as equipment for mixed two-person dinghy at 2024 Paris Olympics
by Luissa Smith 20 May 2019 21:03 AEST
19 May 2019
Andrea Totis/Alice Linussi (ITA) racing at the 2019 470 Europeans, San Remo, Italy © Gerolamo Acquarone
The International 470 Class is pleased to announce that on Sunday 19th May 2019, the World Sailing Council confirmed the selection of the 470 as the equipment for the mixed two-person dinghy at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
In November 2018, World Sailing selected the mixed two-person dinghy as a new event for Paris 2024, and based on the approved equipment criteria opened a tender process on 12 February 2019 to select the equipment for the event.
The 470 Class tender was fully compliant with the tender requirements and on 3 May 2019 the Equipment Evaluation Panel, tasked with evaluating equipment tenders, recommended that the 470 be selected. Their recommendation was endorsed by the Equipment Committee on Saturday 18 May and today that recommendation was confirmed by the World Sailing Council*.
"The International 470 Class thanks World Sailing for its continued recognition of the key role the 470 plays in the Olympic programme," commented Dimitris Dimou, President of the 470 Class. "The 470 Class is a proven Olympic boat, popular around the world and importantly is the only boat at the Olympic Games accessible to lightweight sailors. We have established worldwide spread across men, women and mixed teams, and will continue to support and develop all aspects.
"Whether newcomer or elite, the 470 offers worldwide participation and racing opportunities. A fully adjustable racer, the 470 is the only Olympic Class equipment tunable to suit different sailing styles and crew weights.The boat is flexible to different racing environments and formats, whilst offering a level field of tactical racing and high performance competition. The 470 is arguably the only all-weather two-person boat in the Olympic programme, offering level field tactical racing and high performance from 5 to 35 knots and from flat water to big seas.
"The opportunity ahead for the 470 Class as the new mixed two-person dinghy is very exciting for the sport and we believe will strengthen participation and grow the already established youth pathway," concluded Dimou.
The introduction of mixed teams at events is already under way, including 470 Championships (except the Worlds as it is an Olympic qualification event for Tokyo 2020), and events such as Trofeo Princesa Sofia and Kieler Woche this year, with many more planned for 2020 and onwards.
The 470 is perfectly placed to continue as the proven flag-bearer for two-person symmetric spinnaker dinghy sailing at the Olympics, and evaluation is also ongoing to review possible course formats to best showcase this style of sailing, as well as the race series format and scoring.
To ensure parity for men and women to opt to be helm or crew in the new mixed team combination, possible rule changes are being investigated, such as modifying the current pumping rule.
The 470 Class is developing a strategy to maximise the implementation of the new mixed two-person dinghy event around the world, as well as the pathway from grass roots to junior to the Olympics and beyond. This strategy will evolve in the coming weeks in consultation with all Class stakeholders and be delivered in partnership with World Sailing, MNAs and our National Class Associations.
Click here to read the recommendation from the Equipment Evaluation Panel on the Mixed Two-Person Dinghy for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Take a read of the 470 Class overview document on the 470 as the equipment for the Mixed Two-Person Dinghy event.
*subject to the International 470 Class Association agreeing to the Olympic Classes Contract for the Paris 2024 Olympics.