Seven multihulls line up in Santander
The battle for selection for the mixed multihull event is poised to get underway
March 16, 2012
Seven multihulls will line up in Santander on March 17 in the selection battle for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Included in the line up is the multihull that was so controversially dropped after the 2008 Olympics, leaving the Games without a multihull for 2012. For 2016 the multihull is to return, as a mixed male/female class - the first time the sport has dipped its toe in a 'mixed doubles' event.
The Viper from Australia is one of the contenders
As well as the Tornado, the Hobie 16 and Hobie Tiger are both familiar designs, along with two designs from Nacra. They are joined by the Viper from Australia and Sirena Voile's Spitfire.
The seven multihull entrants
• Hobie 16 - Hobie Cat
• Hobie Tiger - Hobie Cat
• Nacra 17 - Nacra Sailing International
• Nacra F16 - Nacra Sailing International
• Spitfire S - Sirena Voile
• Tornado - International Tornado Class Association
• Viper - Australian High Performance Catamarans (AHPC)
Throughout the nine day evaluation, sailors nominated by their Member National Authorities will sail the boats and provide feedback. A report will then be produced at the 2012 ISAF Mid-year meeting in Stresa, Italy where ISAF Council will make the final selection.
See our feature on the battle for the Olympic women's skiff that will also be taking place alongside the multihull trials An Olympic Skiff for women: the six contenders.
