Well, this is a zero sum game...

Who is gong to loose if the Cats win?

Which organization Finn's or 470's or 49ners has a weaker argument for inclusion in the Olympics? Which class is the weakest?

In the USA, I would think that the 470 would be the weakest class and have the least compelling argument for inclusion. These sailors have three or four reasonable options to demonstrate the olympic skills of tactics and teamwork. The could choose a Single handed dinghy, Keel boat or double handed high performance boat or multihull that they could jump into and compete for the Olympics. Heck, one of the medalists in 470's retired from the class and is now racing Hobie 16's internationally. Demonstrating the point that these sailors have many viable options to reach the Olympics.

You could also target the 49ner.. You could argue that if high performance is the olympic skill.... then a Tornado crushes the 49ner around a race course or in a strait line and is the true test of high performance sailing skill. Morover, the skiff class is the new comer to the games and the participation in skiff sailing around the world is less then in cats. (I need to check this assertion though) As a matter of pure power politics... the high performance class may have the least support of the three. In the USA... the skiff scene is invisible in most of the country. Since the women's council chose NOT to support the High performance Dinghy for women sailors You have no argument that gender equity requires a men's skiff. ... A balanced approach would be to eliminate the 49ner. The argument would be... the multihull is a mixed class and tests the skills needed for high performance sailing .. perhaps a wisper that a smaller boat could be chosen which would allow more women to compete would be the right approach.

For sure, the non sailing public would distinguish a catamaran.... (Hey... that's a hobie cat) from all other monohulls... A 49ner... will look like a tricked out monohull to the non sailor public. For the PR value... there is nothing like a Tornado flying a hull upwind or downwind... to the TV viewer... the speed differences between a 49ner and Tornado is not really appreciated... BUT. I would argue that elevation and a burst of speed is much more exciting to watch in a puff then a burst of speed.

I agree with Tom, IF the IOC and thus ISAF are not focussed on eliminating Keel Boats, there is no hope of success or real reason to go after the Keel boat class.

So... who is the target?