No more cats in the Olympics after 2012

Sadly there will not be any cat at the 2012 Olympic Games!

http://www.sailing.org/21257.php?PHPSESSID=e6cf5e7f6953efa9cbce5e99d282ab98


You all do realise that now that the ISAF has dropped ALL/ANY multi hull from the Olympics, they (the ISAF) have at one stroke of the pen, removed every disincentive to ANY/ALL multihull class(s) from organising and calling their event “NATIONALS” and “WORLDS”?
The threat from the ISAF that any sailer who competed in a class event that called their events “”world titles/championships” without the approval of the ISAF could/would be ”blacklisted” and unable to compete in future ISAF sanctioned events (primarily the Olympics) does not carry any weight now? So what if you compete in a non sanctioned “world catamaran championship” event now? What will the ISAF do? Ban you from sailing in the Olympics on a Laser when you sail nothing but cats? BIG DEAL. I say stuff the ISAF; I like the idea of the ICAF (or anything similar that is totally independent of the ISAF).
Personally I feel that, indirectly they have done us (cat sailers) a big favour! They have now come out of the closet (so to speak) concerning their (mono mentality) dislike of multihulls, and actually, “put in writing” just how they do think of multihulls – they want our revenue, they want to control us, but they don’t want us to be seen or heard – It’s taken THEM over forty years to actually come out and say just how they feel about us, and now there can be no doubt as to just how much they DON”T like multihulls.
Well stuff them! We now have the opportunity to “do our own thing” so lets not let this golden opportunity slip through OUR fingers – lets be pro active, not reactive – WE WILL SURVIVE, in spite of any and all anti multihull sentiments

Personally, I think that the ISAF, YA, YNSW.,.........etc etc., are all a complete waste of space as far as cats go. They have only ever been seriously interested in big monohull events. They suffer the OTB mono's and have always tended to ignore cats of any size.
I have to agree with Darryl in that we should now get off our lazy butts and do something about it. ICAF, ICRF, whatever, too good IMHO. All that money we provided for the monohull frat can now be channelled into International Catamaran Racing.

Are we up to it is the next question?

Berny

Who among us has experience with marketing and promotion? We should have some idea of how big this nut is before we try and crack it.

There must be someone looking to spend a few advertising dollars on a wholesome event. If we attach it to a charity cause i.e. Hospice, Red Cross etc. we would gain instant exposure and recognition.

Just a thought.

I found this in my mailbox:

Dear sailor

I attach a copy of UKCRA's recent press release regarding ISAF's recent decision removing the multihull from the Olympics. The press release can also be found at

www.asnr29.dsl.pipex.com/UKCRA_Press_Release_20071110.doc

UKCRA have also set up a new petition, this one being aimed at the IOC. If you disagree with ISAF's recent decision then please sign the petition which can be found at

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/multihullinolympics/index.html

Please send the press release and petition address to all sailors and any media contact you may have.

Regards

Jon Worthington

yes

If anybody asks me then I'm not in favour of the F16 class seeking ISAF official status. I don't feel ISAF has anything to offer as that is valuable. Only additional expenses and meddling by whig who don't understand modern formula sailing or even catamarans. They want to make everything One-Design and stack the class rules with an increasing number of useless rules and regulations.

Wouter

A real hoot would be to apply to the canoe body as a two hulled canoe.. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> The International canoe class falls outside ISAF..

Scooby managed to get hold of the ISAF voting results. All three US Candidates Cory Sertl, Charles Cook and Dave Irish all voted against the inclusion of Multihulls at the 2012 Olympics. The RYA voted 2:1 against and the Dutch rep also voted in a negative way which was quite a surprise. I should have checked the main forum to see if this info had previously been posted. If it has then I didn't mean to repeat it.

I'll say !

Wouter

I've also confirmed it is 100% accurate.

I really don't understand how they can vote for TWO one-man dinghy's (Heavy, Finn and Light, Laser) and NOT vote for a Multihull! Are they that insecure that they cannot stand the thought of a much faster platform out there near them?

They kept the 100 year old Star, the 50 year old Finn, and the 30 year old Laser, yet no Multihull? [censored]? I knew there was a reason I never thought it was worth the time and money to pursue Olympic racing...what a bunch of snobs, and on old, slow boats no less.

(Yes, I know the Tornado is an "old" design too, but it has recently been upgraded to include double traps and spinnaker, at least they keep up with changing times and new technology, which is something the Laser, 470, Finn and Star class have not)

It's just a continuation of the cats v. mono argument. The mono's are the traditional sailing boats, been around for centuries and they see the cats as trying to muscle in on their game. And that wouldn't necessarily be a problem except that cats being so fast, they make most mono's look stupid. You can understand why they don't like that very much. Think about it, you own a megga million dollar ocean racer and a cruising cat will outrun it. Well maybe that's a bit rich but you get my meaning.

They have really done us a favour. No longer do we have to adhere to their rules, pay their fees or support them in any way, and why should we?.
We can now form the ICRA and the ACRA and the NSWCRA etc., and run our own events, get our own sponsorship, promote cat racing exclusively worldwide. All funds now will go to the improvement of cat racing world wide, all of it. We can run our own worlds, nationals, states without ISAF/YA/YNSW etc. sanctions. All fees, will be payable to our organising bodies.
We should have been doing this all along. Relying on the mono fraternity to promote us is like asking the cops to support bank robbers or bicycle riders to promote GP bikes. It's a joke right?
Now we have to stand up and take responsibility for ourselves and its time we did, way overdue in fact.

Berny

from the A-cat site:

First reactions from several Catamaran sailors and A class sailors :

(from the petion website , see link above, read all the other reactions as well !)



Robbie Daniel : Why take the most exciting class out of the Olympics. It is one of the more cost effective classes since you can fit 10 in a container. It is a sport that applies to all ages. Sailing is doomed in the Olympics with out flash on the water


Scott anderson:An utterly disgraceful decision by the body that is supposed to represent all sailors , not just monohulls.It is an insult to all multihull sailors worldwide past and present - ISAF you are now the enemy.


Will Sunnucks: The Olympic movement strives for the ultimate - the fastest and the best, reflecting the colour and diversity of sporting activity around the world. Multihulls have superior performance, are interesting to watch and should certainly be included in the 2012 Olympics.


Glenn Ashby :
Multi Hull sailing world wide represents a large majority of sailing. There are numerous dinghy classes currently competing within the Olympics. I feel that it is only fair and just to have at least one multi hull dicipline included in the Olympic Games. The Multi Hull being excluded is an insult to Multi Hull sailing around the world!


Darren Bundock: I have lost all faith in the ISAF and especially the council decision making process. Sailing has taken a massive backwards step not only eliminating the multihull but not implementing the women's high performance skiff or the woman's multihull. Keeping the double handed dinghy and not moving with the times. Our sport had the chance to take a massive jump in London 2012 (finally a Olympics with maybe wind) but our sport has been destroyed by a council made up of inactive un-youthful ex sailors living in the past. The multihull has been discriminated against, it was the easy option. Despite multihulls making up for 25% of the sailing fraternity we have very little representation on the ISAF council. The lobbying, Pub parties and deals that go on in the corridors before the ISAF Council meeting under my definition spells corruption. How can they throw out the Events committee recommendations after all they are ISAF's experts that are in touch with the sailing communities


John Forbes: The multihull is the most spectacular of all sailing classes and should be the last to go. If they must discard one sailing class then get rid of the slow boring boats like 470, Star and Finn. The are all not interesting to watch either live or on TV.


Tom Siders:I can see that the ISAF, USSailing and the RYA all believe that having dinghies filling six of the ten open spots is a great representation of the sailing community at large. I must state that after years of supporting Tornados in the Olympic games, I am shocked at the outright contempt shown towards this discipline and to know that "back room" deals were cut with the 470 class. Shame on these MNA attendees and voters. I have been a continual member of both the ISAF and USSailing, but question what reason any of us who sail multihulls now have in supporting either of these organizations. The RYA should be added to this list.


Mark Cole: This decision demonstrates pure elitism and a crying shame for the sport, and the for the future youth of today with a sincere passion for the multihull discipline.


Jeremy Evans: like a lot of people i'm lost for words, apart from wondering why cat classes should continue to pay homage to ISAF who have followed up their unbelievable mess of youth cat selection by Olympic cat class rejection


Pim Nieuwenhuis: banning the fastest class from the olympics is possibly the worst choice they could make. Well done boys! but maybe we will see the AC in giant multi's?


Mark Bulkeley: to be a fair representation of sailing there needs to be a catamaran class. ISAF have once again thrown a completely random decision up in the air. It feels like politics and deals have decided the fate of the 2012 olympic classes not what the people want or a fair represenation of the sailing world.


Pieterjan Dwarshuis: How the F*** is it possible that cat sailing losing it's Olympic status, and there are 10 (!) 'half-boat ' classes still in the games ????? bloody politics .... Catsailing is at least 25 % of all dinghy sailing In Holland it is probably even 50 % ........or more........

So it's not just me... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

It is starting to sound more and more as though the IOC and ISAF are losing sight of the fact that competition is about the competitors and competing, rather than about the spectators.

Sailboat racing generally is an untapped resource for corporate exposure.

The continuation of sailing as an Olympic event is highly dependent on it being made a suitable spectator sport and a vehicle for advertising.
Unlike most sports, [Football, Baseball Cricket etc.,] not only are there shirts for advertising, we have a very large canvas billboard in the sail.

Presently, sailing is not popular with the general public. It's lack of appeal is mainly due to it being conducted in a geographic location which is not spectator friendly. This means that television coverage is absolutely critical to the success of sailboat racing as a spectator sport, probably more so than for any other sport, yet TV coverage of sailing is possibly the poorest of any sport.
To encourage the general public to adopt sailboat racing as a spectator sport, good television coverage is necessary, but although sailing is a difficult sport to televise, there has been very little development in method and technology to take advantage of it's untapped potential.
TV coverage of sailing is mostly done by 'general' sports produces, directors and commentators' who often know very little if anything about sailing. This generally results in an inferior product which, although being of some interest to sailors, it has little appeal or entertainment value for the general public. Put simply, there are not many if any directors and/or commentators who can produce a product to give an accurate, comprehensible and interesting account of a sailboat race for Mr. Joe average. This means that although a sail is a great canvas for advertising, sponsors are not keen to put money into sailing in general because the sport lacks exposure.

We desperately need good, well trained directors and commentators as well as some specific development in image capturing technology for the sport. With so many Television broadcasters worldwide looking for content, it should be a gold mine.

We now have the opportunity to develop catamaran sailing as a great sport for spectators and sponsors and a very lucrative investment opportunity for entrepreneurs.
What we have to do is develop a way to televise it, then produce it sensibly, with good direction, and commentary [NOT the Rob Mundle method], in a way which is palatable to the general public.
We could lead the way here and then the IOC and the ISAF would beg us to let them use us.
Difficult but not impossible.

should the title of this thread not be

No more cats in the Olympics after 2008 !

We are too self involved. We need to look for ways to be a part of our communities as a whole.

This is a good place to start.

http://www.hospiceregattas.org/

Hi all,

Below you can find the reaction of Darran Bundock to de ISAF descision.

http://sailjuiceblog.com/2007/11/11/bundys-blast-at-isaf/

Mind that in the half of the reply the Viper is mentionned, not the F16 as a class....

Gill

But if you follow the provided link you clearly see references to the F16 class and both on the top and the sides of the page the boat is referenced to as "F16 Viper"

Everybody see for himself.

www.ahpc.com.au/m_viper1.htm

Wouter

Oeps....! Didn't see that!

QUOTE [should the title of this thread not be

No more cats in the Olympics after 2008 !] end quote.

You are of course absolutely correct. (stuff the ISAF)

Wouter, that page seems to have serious technical faults. It doen't display well on my browser [Int Exp].

Berny

I have the same issues, been having them on the AHPC website for close to 2 years now. I don't know what is causing it.

Wouter

seems to work ok in Firefox 2.0.. So guessing OK in Netscape which also uses a mozilla engine..

Maybe its because Microsoft decided to go it alone on the web interface protocols rather than use the existing standards and their extensions?

From Yachting Australia

Multihulls and the 2012 Olympic Games – Yachting Australia’s position

ACtion at the Tornado World Championships 2005
Phil Jones, Friday, 16 November 2007

Yachting Australia has expressed both disappointment and concern over the decision taken last week by the ISAF Council to drop the Multihull from the list of events for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Yachting Australia delegates supported the retention of the multihull event throughout the ISAF Annual Meetings which took place in Estoril, Portugal from 3-11 November.

ISAF was challenged with reducing the number of Olympic events from 11 in 2008 to 10 for 2012 in Weymouth. "To not include the multihull in 2012 is to disenfranchise a large part of the sport of sailing," says Phil Jones, CEO of Yachting Australia and member of the ISAF Events Committee, which recommended that the multihull should be retained. "The speed and excitement of catamarans is a real draw to young people. They are the speed machines of sailboat racing. Whilst there is only a limited number of countries involved in the Tornado Olympic Class, multihull sailing is an attractive and truly global part of the sport."

ISAF has been heeding the clear message from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over recent years that for the sport to maintain its place on the Olympic Program it must take steps to become more attractive to the media and the public. Changes to the format of the competition have been made and a World Cup Series has been agreed in effort to ensure more regular exposure for Olympic sailing.

"Catamaran racing is fast and comes across as really exciting," says Phil Jones. "The Tornado is one of the most telegenic boats in the Olympic Regatta. The boats are big enough to carry on board cameras and tracking devices that can really bring the contest to life for the viewer. To not have a place for it, or another multihull, is a real step backwards for a sport that has the challenge of building its profile. For us, there was just no focus on the bigger, long-term picture."

Yachting Australia is also concerned over the process by which the multihull was excluded. The ISAF Council voted to change the process recommended for the selection of the events. This meant that there was no "run-off" vote between the Multihull and the Keelboat.

"There was no real discussion over the implications of the change. It altered the fundamental principles of the recommended system." says Phil Jones. "Some consider that the change, which was taken on a motion from the floor, was taken with undue haste. Certainly many around the Council did not seem to appreciate the full implications of the change. Those that used their first vote to support other events may well have backed the multihull over the keelboat had they had the opportunity. This change denied them this opportunity. I am sure that having had time consider the implications, many will recognise that the change, put forward as a mere simplification, was much more than this."

Yachting Australia is concerned over the reaction to the ISAF Council decision. "We understand that some will be very disappointed but the personal and vitriolic attacks that we have seen do nothing to help the cause of those making them. In fact, they only do damage. Yachting Australia does not consider this type of reaction appropriate in any way."

Yachting Australia is considering what further action, if any, can be taken to revisit the decision. "However much we might disagree, if we felt the decision had been properly considered and made with those around the table fully understanding the implications, we would accept it. Obviously we don't consider that this is the case. We shall be discussing the issue with colleagues from other countries and IOC representatives over the next few days before deciding how we proceed."

It'd be interesting to know who put the motion??

Berny

I don't pretend to know anything about this but I am wondering if there is a connection behind the US claiming they were aiming at two multihull classes and the motion. Possibly the people thinking and wanting more cats thought this motion would help them achieve that when in fact it was aimed at getting them out.
Like I said. I have no idea, possibly someone in the know can
give their take on the possibility of there being a connection.

Regards,
Phill

I personally dont think there is a conspiracy going on her, but I dont understand the mandate of the representatives from the US either. John Williams tried to explain it on the open forum. Supposedly the US representatives had a "gameplan" issued from US Sailing according to their motion with two multi classes, which is what I would expect. But when the voting process was changed at the meeting, after a motion from the floor, this gameplan forced the US votes to keelboats instead of the multihulls. It is no secret that US Sailing think their medal chances are greater in keelboats than multis for 2012 so I _think_ US Sailings representatives did as US Sailing wanted to. Not necessarily pushing multihulls out of the games, but putting their votes with their perceived medal chances.

What I want to know is who made the motion of changing the well tried voting process, where the votes are cast for each class separately and each vote discussed before the next class is decided. This made the selection last just some hours instead of the scheduled two days. It also made for this situation, which I feel is due to a hasty decision made without understanding what the change in the voting procedure meant. This just adds more weight to those who now try to find ways to change the decision made by the ISAF Council, or finding some other way of including a multihull in the 2012 games.


BTW: Check..
http://www.monohullandfatoldmensailing.org/ and then isaf.org
Also worthwhile to read:http://sailjuiceblog.com/2007/11/16/australia-calls-for-a-multihull-re-vote/
Looks like Andy Price is having a field day, even if he came across as a multihull hater before the selection.

So these people are making decisions with far reaching worldwide implications without understanding what they are doing ? Think about this for a while ........ Read it again..... I would not allow people, who don't know what they are doing and/or who are without a proper vision on the field they are dealing with, or who are unable to take proper decisions, even to clean my toilet. It is a devastating conclusion that Yachting Australia presents here and far worse than any vitriol, and I am afraid that they are right.

You make a very good point! But I do think there were people who did know the full implications of the revised process, namely those who put the motion so the more that is known about it, the worse it looks to me.

****

to the ISAF
The integrity and future of the ISAF are at stake here. The was a time when narrow self-interest could assert itself, but not now. There is no valid interest served by your decision to remove the multihull from the Olympic classes, nor the inclusion of a women's match-racing keelboat over a modern high-performance single-hander.

All the stated aims of the ISAF and of modern Olympic sailing are ignored by your decision and all those who perpetrated it left open to public contempt. Is this the legacy to the sport that you wish to be remembered by. Go back to square one, re-open the debate, and make a decision that serves world-wide interests, not narrow ones.
David Ingram - auckland - New Zealand

Voting out the fastest class in the Olympics is a giant leap backwards in the sport of sailing... sailing needs to be promoting the high performance disciplines (Windsurf, Skiff, Catamaran, Foiling) to the Olympics as these are the classes that communicate athleticism and excitement to future participants, media and public.

Wake up ISAF!!! The future of yachting is not the slowest boats available....The future is young people, not you and your archaic attitude.

Wankers

We want exciting boats to watch

What an insane decision, to remove one of the only exciting olympic classes and one of the more modern catagories. Put the multihulls back in and remove one of the mens double handers, preferably the 470, what hope with the dropping of high performance for match racing not good for spectaters

Young people need something to aspire to; the T provides the only cat at the Olympics. Please keep the variety of craft as wide as we can at these show case events.

____________________________________________________

From: André Raoult

As president of the Oceania Sailing Federation (OSAF) I have been much disapointed by the ISAF concil decision to drop off the multihulls from the Olympic series ! More : looking at the votes the group L New Zealand sailing association representative(Mr Joe Butterfield) voted against multihulls as the Australian (David Tillett) voted for ...As I know none of the Group 'L' countries were informed of the decision made by their representatives ...

____________________________________________________

For a further five pages of NZ comment see: Crew.org

It would appear that the NZ rep' voted contrary to his and other countries in his regions, true wishes?
This has got to be re voted on at the next ISAF meeting.

I don't think so. The CEO of YNZ has publicly expressed their support for the decision and, like the US, cites a rationale that is plainly outside the criteria specified in ISAF regulations.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10475891

Also, as far as I know, the AUS and NZL delegates are not explicitly expected to represent the views of other nations in Group L.

"YNZ chief executive Des Brennan said New Zealand at present had greater strength in keelboats than in multihulls."
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10475891

I guess that sums it up nicely. Why would anybody vote to keep an event that they know they are going to get flogged in? I am sure that if the current Tornado world champions happened to be from the US or UK the vote may have turned out differently, however as Bundock and Ashby appear unstoppable why bother?

It's the Mumbles Yacht Club (MYC) Prize giving this Saturday and apart from organising it and presenting the Cups I will be saying a prayer before we eat which I have thought long and hard about!!
Our father who sails on two hulls, Catamaran be thy name. Thy wind will come and racing will be done, on sea as it is in the MYC Bar. Give us this day a race which starts on time, and forgive those who are always late. As we forgive the RYA who trespass against us and lead us not into the 2012 Olympic Games. But deliver us to the hot showers this Winter for my willy is small enough. For thine is not the losing but the wining and the glory. To go faster and faster. Amen.
Should raise a few eyebrows <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mark, that is very very good !

I'd blame the ISAF !

Carolijn Brouwer found time from her busy Tornado training schedule in Sydney to write to SailJuice with her views on what happened two weeks ago in Estoril. You could read the frustration between the lines of what Laser Radial sailor Laura Baldwin wrote a few days ago. Here, Carolijn is much more explicit with her feelings. By the way, a quick reminder that Carolijn finished runner-up in the Tornado World Championships this year, showing the men the way round the track in the manliest of weather conditions. So this is a girl who knows what she’s talking about.


“Dear Andy

I was gutted after the ISAF meeting in Estoril. I felt empty, confused and especially useless. I am a member of the Events Committee but at this moment I truly don’t really know what I’m doing there and whether it has any meaning.

Of course I’m very disappointed ISAF kicked out the Multihull and is taking a huge step backwards in sailing by not including the High Performance dinghy for Women. They are too scared to take a possible risk and move forward.

But most of all, I am disappointed about the Events selection procedure. The members of the Events Committee have been chosen by their MNAs because they are the so called experts in the issues/areas that involve Events, including Olympic Games and Olympic Event Selection.

The normal procedure is that the voting on respective issues that involve Events is done on our Committee and we then put them forward as a recommendation to Council. Council usually accepts our recommendation.

This time however they just chucked it out the window and started all over again. So, what are we actually doing there as an Events Committee if our expertise is not being used anyway?

This is really disappointing and to be honest I don’t understand what ISAF is doing. It’s frustrating being part of it, and having the feeling that you are completely useless. It’s not about the sailors, it’s about the blazers. So many people have told me already, don’t try and understand, it’s a waste of time. And I still keep thinking I can make a difference in there.

The past week I have been on the verge of resigning from the Committee. But that would be giving up. We need more active sailors on the committees, not less.

I have a very straightforward, simple and symmetric opinion of how easily we can have only ten events for sailing in the Olympics and still cover the whole range that our beautiful sport has to offer:
• Singlehanded Men/Women
• Doublehanded Men/Women (High Performance)
• Multihull Men/ Women
• Windsurfer Men/Women
• Keelboat Men/Women (matchracing)

It doesn’t have to be difficult, it can be easy.

And regarding the Women’s situation. This might sound a little contradictory with what I just wrote above, but it’s just a matter of time. I am more in favour of 6:4 than 5:5. If you look at any Olympic sport out there at the moment there are more men than women.

I wonder whether we will find enough women to fill all the Olympic classes if we go 50:50. And I’m afraid if we do, this might bring the women’s level in sailing down, and that is the last thing we want.

So an easy solution to this would be consider the Open events. Not all the events have to be open but I definetely think some events CAN and should be open. There are many people that think the Tornado is not suitable as an Open Event discipline.

I think I’m the living proof that that is not entirely true.

But I can live with that because in my eyes there are more disciplines out there that are equally and maybe more suitable for men and women. We are talking Multihull here, not Tornado. So the F18 or any other catamaran class could be more suitable for men and women.

Or take for example the 470. The boys now (especially due to the conditions in Qingdao) but normally as well, the boys have to be very light and skinny to suit a 470. A mixed combination could be the perfect solution for this problem. And also here it has been proven in the past that it is possible (1984 Olympics with Cathy Foster and Pete Newlands).

And with this approach, you can solve the whole situation by keeping the wide diversity, still cover all the ranges in sport, keep all the sailors happy and most important of all not put our sport in danger of losing its Olympic status!

Which is exactly what is happening now by removing the Multihull and not introducing the High Performance.

Regards,

Carolijn”