WindsurfingSA news

It’s very hard to change the status quo. So, despite the intense lobbying of the Formula Windsurfing Org (and IWA) for the Formula One Design, the RSX will be sailed at the 2012 Olympics.

It’s not a time for the RSX fraternity to gloat, but to put more effort into growing the class. Does it exist only because it is the “Olympic Windsurfer”?

The FOD/FWOD is not dead-in-the-water, but needs the momentum of numbers, ISAF international class status and a strong following to be built ready for the next round of decision making.

The final decision for the 2016 Olympics is likely to be made in 2012, but FOD will need to have a noticable presence by late 2010 to be considered a serious contender. To be a serious contender, formula fleets should be mostly “One Design” (FOD) – state and national windsurfing bodies should encourage that scenario.

Or is a longboard still the best option??

Last minute lobbying with comments (Nov 2008):
Why FOD is right for 2012 (Ceri Williams)
Fact not Fiction (Allison Shreeve)

The longboard view:
The Longboard Windsurfing Journal

Says Neil Pryde.

At this weeks ISAF meeting amongst the agenda items is a proposal to switch windsurfing boards for the 2012 London Olympic Games from the existing Neil Pryde RS:X to a new Starboard built Formula board.

Read more:
http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Not-time-to-change-Olympic-windsurfer-says-Pryde/50457 

Whilst I (Rory Ramsden) admire Svein’s zeal for promoting Olympic windsurfing, I have 16 years of experience in managing both IMCO and now the RS:X classes. This has lead me to the following conclusions.

See more @ http://windsurfingnz.org/node/1796

Previous Posts on this subject:
2008/09/15: Press release: Formula OD
2008/06/05: 2012 Olympic board – RSX or FWOD