One of the hottest topics at the ISAF (International Sailing Federation)  mid-year meeting was the selection of two classes for the 2016 Olympic Games; the women's Olympic Skiff and the Mixed Multihull event.

Mackay FX

The Mackay FX at the trials in Santander - photo ISAF



The debate for the skiff spot took place first. At the selection trials, the sailors had favoured two boats and these two, the RS900 and Mackay FX, had been recommended by the The Technical Committee.

The Events Committee then met and recommended the Mackay FX (voting 14 to two at their meeting on May 3). However, when the Council met it had other ideas.

The debate started with an outline of the factors that needed to be taken into account: availability of boats, technology and costs, together with a presentation of what happened at the equipment evaluation trials held in Santander.

Abraham Rosenberg (from South America) proposed to open the debate to all boats, not only to the two recommended up to now, he particularly wanted to bring the 29er XX to the table. The 29er had other supporters, including Teresa Lara who pointed out that the boat should be spread throughout the world, as is the case with the 29erXX and Oleg Ilyin said that the world had been preparing for several years for the 29er

The FX wasn't without its supporters, but it became clear that the RS900 had little support. David Tillett said the choice should be the Mackay FX because it had the approval of all the athletes for its fun and maneuverability. Chris Atkins pointed out that the fun factor was important and in this aspect the 29er did not win!

Fiona Kidd (the Women's Representative) said that the priorities were low cost and rapid deployment, saying this excluded the RS900, so the vote should be for the 29erXX or Mackay FX. However Kurt Lonnqvist pointed out that the selection should be made by looking at the long term and Ralph Roberts pointed out that an Olympic campaign in the major cost is not the boat... but coaching and travel!

In the end the FX won by 19 votes to the 29erXX's 14, the RS900 gained just two votes. To read more about the boats involved in the trials see our feature An Olympic Skiff for women: the six contenders and news item Multihull and skiff Olympic recommendations announced.

The decision on the multihull will follow tomorrow.

Written by: Gael Pawson
Gael Pawson is the editor of Yachts & Yachting Magazine and the founder of Creating Waves. A keen racer, she has sailed all her life, and started writing about the subject whilst studying journalism at university. Dinghies and small keelboats are her first loves, but she has cruised and raced a huge variety of boats in locations across the world.