"We are shocked. We can't believe it." The reaction of Roland Gäbler, President of the International Tornado Class Association, is understandable. After all, he had hoped to reinstall the catamaran that was withdrawn from the programme after the 2008 Games. This time in the new mixed multihull discipline for the 2016 Games, i.e. with mixed-gender crews. Together with his wife Nahid, he was a pioneer and hugely successful.
But now the Tornado will probably be left out for good. This is because the World Sailing Federation (Isaf) has published the criteria that a boat must fulfil in order to take part in the upcoming sighting competitions. It must fit into a 20-foot container. However, this only provides 5.898 metres of internal dimensions - too little for the 6.09 metres of the Tornado.
In addition, the weight limit of 120 to 140 kilograms was set without taking reality into account. "That disqualifies 50 per cent of all sailors," says Gäbler.
He even accuses the association of bias: "If you look at the members of the technical committees, you will find sailors with great commercial interests who invent rules that perfectly suit the boats they sell." He calls on the Isaf to change the rules to ensure equal opportunities.
