Olympic sailing: In the video: News about the Olympic discipline "Mixed Offshore"

The World Sailing Federation has now presented further details about the new Olympic discipline "Mixed Offshore" for sailing duos at the 2024 Olympic Games in Marseille in a video clip. These include the qualification mode, format, equipment, safety and eSailing. Although the boat of choice will deliberately remain open until the end of 2023 at the latest, there is news about the planned courses for the mixed duos, who will be competing for Olympic medals on the high seas for the first time in five years' time. The video shows the plans, which centre on the desire to finally bring sea sailing into the Olympic sailing family.

The World Sailing Federation has announced that the future Olympic sailors will also hold competitions on every continent. The reference to existing charter fleets for training purposes in each region sounds good, but the reality check is likely to prove that this can only be realised gradually and is not affordable for all nations. The reference to the still to be finalised list of "equipment" - meaning the possible boat types from which the Olympic boat will later be selected - also indicates that there is still some work to be done by the ambitious mixed offshore conductors and that sailors around the world will initially only be able to operate with different boats in different regions. Which suitable two-person keelboat will actually be awarded the contract for the 2024 Olympics will remain open for as long as possible, but should be decided by the end of 2023 at the latest. The late vote is intended to prevent financially strong sailing nations from being able to secure decisive advantages early on by acquiring their own training fleet for the future Olympic fleet. In addition, the aim is to achieve the highest possible participation of countries in the competitions through various suitable boat classes. The première will show whether the model works.

Up to 15 nations will be able to qualify for the 2024 Olympic regatta in the new discipline as a result of regional competitions. At the Olympics itself, the boats will be provided in identical new condition. This is intended to emphasise the skill, experience and athleticism of the mixed sailing duos and avoid an expensive technological arms race. A regatta is planned in which the teams of two will be in action for three days and two nights without interruption. The rally that was originally planned in stages has therefore been cancelled. Instead, four different 250 to 500 nautical mile courses are planned, one of which will be selected shortly before the Olympic race and according to the weather forecast. The format sounds simple: the team that crosses the finish line first wins Olympic gold. How possible protests on the water (and possibly at night) are to be dealt with was initially left open. The Olympic sailing fleet will be supported and secured by the French navy and the hosts' weather experts. The race is to be broadcast in "24/7" mode with live images from on board, tracking and analysis, offering millions of eSailors around the world the chance to take part simultaneously. There has never been a comparable endurance mixed competition at the Olympic Games.