Sailing at the Olympics Officially Canned for 2012?

April 1st, 2008

SAILING OUT?

It has been announced today that the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will be sailing’s last appearance at this world renowned event.

After officially eliminating the Catamaran class, and then announcing that Women’s Match Racing would become the keel boat class for girls, it has since been decided by the powers to be that sailing simply doesn’t generate enough international or viewers interest, and as such has been officially eliminated from the Games.

This comes as a serious blow for the sport which has struggled for years to gain acceptance on the international stage.

Those who use the Games as their professional springboard into other major yachting events will have to venture back to university to gain qualifications to ensure their financial future. Those who were lucky enough to gain a qualification prior to becoming professional in their bid to make the world’s most recognised sporting stage will now need to join the ranks of the common people and resume a 9 to 5 job.

The only major events that sailors can now aim for that gains international attention is the Fastnet, Volvo Ocean Race or single handed ventures across the globe.

“It’s been said that this could be the beginning of the end, and slowing the world will see a dramatic decline in one-design yachts and off-the-beach dinghies,” said one disgruntled sailor.

This final decision by officials could however shine a new light for development class campaigners.

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Sailing is still in (we think!)

April 2nd, 2008

Our little April Fools joke created quite a stir, even ending up on the home page of Scuttlebutt! But let me just reassure everyone that as far as we know, sailing is still set to race at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

But who knows what the future will hold!

Just a recap on what we did last year - the entire site transformed into a Laser only dedicated site - Live Sail Laser.

Check it out here >>

And how the site looked here >>

12′ Skiff Vid

April 4th, 2008

Check out this awesome video on the 12′ Skiff website which is from the Interdoms in NZ.

Video >>

12′ Skiff Website >>

Love it!

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Got Sail?

April 6th, 2008

LSD reader Brad reports:

“This is my crew and I last winter during a race. The tanks leaked so when we would hit a wave, the water would rush to the front, dragging the bow down.”

Oh dear!!!

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