Olympics: Looking Forward
Photo above and below: Youth Falcon team at Carnac 2012.
Multis are back, so all boat discussions are over.
I will try though to put in context current scenario to show that we are better positioned than years ago.
When the Tornado was out I was requested to write an article in the major Arg sailing magazine. There I went hard on ISAF but also with the Tornado Class and their own faults.
But now I think we have a different scenario:
Some years ago, for ie, we didn´t have a super strong F18 class at every corner of the Globe.
And also the new Formula 16 is growing fast with another excellent performer and we can say covering different target than the F18 like youths.
To these we can add the strong Hobie 16 Class and the A-Class that is getting lots of exposure these past years with new players and AC aces training/racing As. Also the SL16 in Europe and other great OD classes like Darts and else.
The Boat & McLuhan
Now that a good boat on the F16-F18 range was selected, we have the appeal for attracting new sailors to the game. Forget for a second of technical aspects, and if curved are worth or not. The boat is good, the sailors like it. So that’s it. Ends of discussion there too and no point on further hypothetical analysis.
And a key aspect to remember is the social/global networking guru Marshall McLuhan credo, so true in this era: “The medium IS the message”.
I think we have selected an excellent medium to spread the multi message to these new generations. Something they can relate or see as an updated machine that can suit current times to get them amped to go catracing.
With the boat selected we need to address the Games itself:
Some people still don´t get that the actual Olympic sailors are quite a reduced group of hardcore sailors dedicating their entire lives to one and only goal, to perform and peak after 4-8 year period of travelling through the World leaving family and friends and even job opportunities behind,
begging for their Federation support, having amateur sailors supporting them with donations, having the sport scholarship from the government and so on.
Their lives are quite different from weekend sailors, they are another breed , an Elite.
You are not going to form these Olympic hopes on any new formed fleet on whichever boat you chose in only 2-4 years.
So it is mandatory to all to buy this new boat? Not at all, and in my view feeder classes from above and below like the F18 and F16 are going to have even more importance now.
Understanding this we can now be at ease with the grass roots and the promotion of the sport not depending on x selection.
Excuses and solutions
Yesterday I read a guy from a small South American country, saying that not having the Viper selected killed their Olympic dream, the same argument can be heard for sure with others on the H16 not being selected and so on.
And I said: How Come???? How is possible that your Olympic dream is dead now? just like that!?
Are you going to create Champions on a particular boat? Or are you going to provide your sailing community with good base for future Olympians?
A reduced view like this (“not my boat, no more dream”) is not analyzing as we did above, what implies to become an Olympic Athlete and current classes alternatives.
This beyond Olympic level catsailors can and should adapt to any new toy, and the game is leveled to 0 right now, regarding this specific point
Instead of putting excuses we must all now take advantage that multihulls are back and promote our local fleets in the best way we can.
So this guy should :
– 1st Stop whining , as yesterday we didn´t even had the chance of dreaming on the Olympics.
– 2nd Go for those Vipers, or Falcons, or Nacra F16s , take advantage of the good promotions may arise now! and form/renew your feeder class fleet. Just copy the youth Belgian team above or buy some used F18s at a good price.
– 3rd Do you think in 2-4 years you are going to create a champ? No, start now and you’ll get a qualification for 2020, get real.
– 4th Once you got your bases covered, the best of them can start training on the specific selected boat that is not that far on the F16-F18 range.
The boat alone will achieve nothing, zero. (Well, only may work if you have a local Lange case)
And if you already have a strong Formula cat fleet with sailors capable to embark themselves on the tough Olympic journey, well just get some buyers and take advantage of the first 100 at a lower price.
Bottom Line
One good example on how the boat is not that defining on a new boat Olympic campaign: Do you think Carolijn’s medal chances are diminished on the Viper out? Think again, cause all the Tornado/F18/Viper time puts her as the Nr1 candidate for Rio right now.
As you can see, the cards are on the table, we have an unsurpassable hand (just look at Windsurfing !).
A variety of alternatives and costs are available if you really want to try.
Now go racing/sailing, and if you have promotional or fleet forming responsibilities on the local sailing community and you are whining you don´t have a local Olympic hope for Rio 2016 or even for 2020,
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