From Scuttlebutt sailing

OLYMPIC PREVIEW
(Past ISAF president Paul Henderson provides Scuttlebutt with a preview on
this week’s Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta in Miami, FL.)

The success of the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta is clearly stated by
the 2007 event having the largest entry in their history, where 850 sailors
from 48 countries are in attendance, with 3/4 of the participants foreign to
the USA. The international sailing community loves Miami and the USA. The
Miami Olympic Training Centre, with major patrons Schoonmakers and
Whittons - both Olympic families - is an example on what makes Olympic
sailing work. This shows that Olympic sailing is healthy where local clubs
are focused on competitive racing.

All the 11 Olympic Classes are well supported and some are growing
significantly, such as the Tornado (42) and 49er (50) along with the
resurgence of Windsurfing with the new RS-X. The Star (67) and Finn (50) are
the two senior classes that are very healthy, and both serve a required need
in Olympic sailing. Naturally, the Laser is over the top with 115 men and 69
women entries. It is encouraging to note the growth of the women's entries
in both the 470 and Yngling. Additionally, the total inclusion of the
Paralympic sailors in the Skud, 2.4m, and Sonar racing out of their
wonderful name "Shake-a-Leg" is rewarding to all involved. (I do not like
the word "Disabled")

11 Olympic events is not excessive compared to other similar water sports,
so it is sad that we will be cut back to ten for London in the most
successful sailing nation today and also a remote venue. When the IOC cuts
entries back they cut out the emerging sailing nations but still sailing
gets more countries entered than well over 50% of the other Olympic sports.
To prostitute the integrity of the sport that we all love for some increased
TV dream is unfortunate to say the least, if not unobtainable. By keeping to
its roots, sailing has become an example for modern popular thinking;
environmentally friendly and open to all sizes, shapes and genders. A truly
modern sport! See you in Miami. -- Paul Henderson