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Suggestion sent to ISAF:
The fundamental problems with regards to sailing as a spectator sport are well described in the report. Unfortunately, the proposed solutions will not, in my opinion solve the problems. Even high performance dinghies such as 49er do not make good spectator sports, and even less so in low wind strength conditions.
The solution in my opinion is to identify one discipline which can generate significant interest and use this to generate interest for other disciplines, dinghies and events.
The one underdeveloped event is in my opinion Team Racing. However, NOT as team racing is done normally in double handed boats and three boats per team.
Instead Olympic team racing would have to be in single handed boats. The format I propose is outlined below:
Laser Radial, 4 sailors per team, two men and two women. Most nations will have half a team on site already in the male and female laser sailor. Several teams may want to use the sailors in other boats since a number of them will have significant experience from lasers. Sails in different colors or with flags. Tracking to determine continuously which nation has the lead.
Team racing satisfies a number of the requirements identified in the report. Spectator sport, easy to understand, short races(10 - 12 minutes), instant decision - no protests, gender equality(in fact, using radials, the lighter women would have and advantage under normal conditions and would have to "rescue" men in their teams once they got covered). Low cost, out of box. Possibility for audience and stadium, close to shore sailing - always!. Quite independent of wind strength (important in Rio - hardly any wind in August!). Fight between nations, always fascinating.Possibility for close-ups of athletes. Good exposure for brands.
My suggestion is that ISAF try to have team racing as an event at laser worlds or World Cup as soon as possible and as a trial event at 2012 olympics.
The best part of it - it will be a lot of fun for the sailors - something the spectators will sense!
Good luck!
Best regards
Format must be 4x4 since the rule that the team with a first place looses when points are equal creates so many opportunities to turn the match around. 3x3 on the other hand is in comparison much more a race to have a first and second place.
As for Rondar they also produce the PinBax FRP Enterprise which is in increasing demand as the SpeedSails boat is poorly built. Think they build other boats too (I think they are contracted for the new Graduate aren't they?)
Speeds is not far from me...i'm pretty sure the're not making any boats anymore.