Disappointment at axing of multi-hulls from 2012 Olympics
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Article Date: 2007-11-14
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Sailors at all levels of the sport have voiced their disappointment at the decision to cut the multi-hull class from the 2012 Olympics.
The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Council decided to cut multi-hulls after being told by the International Olympic Committee that for the 2012 games in London the number of sailing events would have to be cut to ten, and the number of competitors limited to 380.
Eighteen-year-old Richard Glover, an up-and-coming multi-hull sailor, told the Dorset Echo: "My whole vision was to go to the Olympics on a multi-hull in 2012, now that's disappeared."
He added: "The biggest thing for me now is to discuss with the Royal Yachting Association what other routes I can go down for Olympic sailing.
"Some people say sailing's sailing, but multi-hull is a little different - it's all about speed. I've been sailing catamarans since I was seven.
"I've got youth on my side but some catamaran sailors were banking on 2012 to be their last Olympic Games."
RYA spokesperson Lindsey Bell told the paper: "We're disappointed by the decision - in a nutshell we voted to keep the multi-hull.
"As far as I understand it that's it now. There is a slim chance it could be voted in as the choice of equipment for the men's double-handed high performance boat but ISAF won't be making that decision until next year.
"Until then we need to figure out how to keep hold of talents and transfer them to other classes."
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