After the women's skiff Mackay FX, also known as the 49er FX, the last two remaining vehicles for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio were also determined yesterday at the Isaf meeting in Sestra. In the mixed multihull, the Nacra 17 emerged as the winner, which was specially designed for this competition, while kiteboards will replace the RS:X windsurfer for both men and women. This came as a surprise, as the original plan was only to have the kitesurfers compete in the Isaf World Cup and the Isaf World Championships. The Windsurfing and Kitesurfing Committee will make further recommendations on the Olympic integration of this event at the Isaf annual meeting in November.
The Nacra 17 was the clear favourite among the sailors at the tests in Santander in March. However, in the event committee, where voting is based more on political than sailing criteria, the Nacra only won in the end thanks to the vote of chairman Chris Atkins. This was probably the most difficult hurdle, as it meant the nomination for the decisive vote in the committee, which was relatively clear in favour of the boat with 20:15 votes.
The evaluation committee considered the Nacra 17 to be the best option because it is longer and wider than the 16-footers that were also available. This meant that the boat could tolerate a wider range of crew weights. Other criteria that tipped the scales in its favour were a total weight that was almost 50 kilograms less than the F18 Hobie Tiger and the curved centreboards, which provide more buoyancy. The individual boats in detail Comparison.
"These decisions mark the beginning of a new era in sailing," said Isaf President Göran Petersson. "The selections have met the evaluation committee's criteria and we look forward to seeing these boats not only in Rio 2016, but also at the Isaf World Cup and the Isaf World Championships."
Germany's parade catamaran sailor, Roland Gäbler, long a supporter of the mixed multihull, had to realise that the Olympic days of his beloved Tornado are finally history, but was nevertheless delighted with the decision in favour of the Nacra 17. "At last the Isaf has listened to the sailors. Thank you very much!"
Nacra 17 specifications
Lüa 5.25 m
Width 2.59 m
Weight 138/132* kg
Sailplane Large: 14,65 sqm
Sailplane Jib 4 sqm
Sailfl. Gennaker 19,5 sqm
Price 14,500/16,750* Euro
*with carbon fibre mast
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