Innovations in Olympic class sailing
by John Friend, EUROSAF 2 Nov 2012 09:13 GMT
Marit Bouwmeester sailing at the 2011 Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik © Sander van der Borch
Last week EUROSAF announced the dates of a new series of regattas in Europe, under the name EUROSAF Champions Sailing League. After due consideration, it has been decided that the series should be renamed EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup.
The aim of the EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup is to provide the best possible competition for Olympic and Paralympic Classes. The series is based on established regattas within Europe, in order to guarantee the highest level of event and race management.
To make the racing easier to understand from the non-sailors perspective and more enjoyable for the competing sailors, the EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup will adopt some new race formats. Being a completely new series provides an opportunity for different formats to be introduced and new ideas to be developed.
The following innovations will be adopted as part of the EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup:
- Shorter, but more races each day (12-15 over four days for 'conventional' classes and up to 20 for high performance disciplines).
- The boat winning the final race will win the gold medal.
- The 'theatre' style of racing, as used by the 49er class in their recent World Championships.
- Spectator boats on the course.
All five participating events will be ranked as '100-pointers' in the ISAF World Sailing Ranking List.
Complete event list and regatta dates in 2013 and 2014:
| 2013 | 2014 |
|---|
| Event 1 |
|---|
| Fraglia Vela Riva |
| 8th – 12th May | 7th – 11th May |
| Riva del Garda ‑ Italy |
| Event 2 |
|---|
| Delta Lloyd Regatta |
| 21st – 25th May | 20th – 24th May |
| Medemblik – The Netherlands |
| Event 3 |
|---|
| Sail for Gold |
| 8th – 12th June | 7th – 12th June |
| Weymouth – United Kingdom |
| Event 4 |
|---|
| Kieler Woche |
| 22nd – 26th June | 21st – 25th June |
| Kiel ‑ Germany |
| Event 5 |
|---|
| Semaine Olympique Française |
| 9th – 13th October | 22nd – 25th September |
| La Rochelle ‑ France |
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