Following recent statements from World Sailing regarding the selection process for Events and Equipment for the 2024 Olympic Games, the RS:X Class Executive have released the following statement.

The RS:X Class was selected by World Sailing in 2005 as the equipment to be used as the Olympic Windsurfer and was specifically designed for this purpose. The RS:X has supported World Sailing through three different Olympic Games as well as showcasing its versatility by providing a pathway for Youth sailors at over 10 different Youth World Championships.

The RS:X Class are aware that the sport of sailing is constantly evolving and that there are new technologies and elements of sailing that provide a broader technical challenge as well as offering a more spectacular showcase. The RS:X Class, whilst enjoying its status as the fastest and cheapest Olympic equipment, is looking at options of development in order to continue to lead the Olympic Classes forward towards 2024. In order to achieve this, the RS:X Class is looking to amalgamate with the RS:X Convertible Class to bring foiling windsurfing under its wing. This will allow dual events with both conventional windsurfing and foiling windsurfing events running side by side which will deliver exceptional footage and images as well as providing sailors with opportunities to learn new skills.

The RS:X Class will look to take these steps in order to grow the sport of sailing – currently the RS:X is the second most diverse Olympic Class behind the Laser with more than 70 different nations actively competing. By supplementing a foiling option into the RS:X Class, it will mean less cost to transition from one piece of equipment to another which will provide stability for the smaller nations looking to compete.

The RS:X Class would also like to acknowledge the support of the IWA and in particular the Techno Class Association. With over 400 boards competing at the Techno World Championships, this class provides an excellent first step on every junior sailors pathway to Olympic windsurfing. The skills that the Techno Class teaches its sailors, both the physical elements of windsurfing as well as the tactical elements of sailing in general, breed strong and independent sailors which flourish further as they reach the RS:X at youth events.

Finally, the RS:X Class acknowledge that with World Sailing looking to showcase the breadth of the sport, that there will be demand for Kiteboarding to be included as an Olympic discipline for 2024. The RS:X Class agrees and supports the principle that the whole sport of sailing should be showcased, similar to both windsurfing and kiteboarding living alongside each other at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games where both board sports will be looking to support World Sailing in delivering a fantastic event with the perfect backdrop of Buenos Aires.

Executive Committee
The International RS:X Class Association

In 2018, World Sailing will make a number of important decisions concerning the Events and Equipment that will be used at the Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition in Marseille, France. To ensure a joined up and efficient approach to the decision-making process, World Sailing’s Board of Directors appointed a joint Procedure Working Party of the Events Committee, Equipment Committee and Constitution Committee. The Working Party is responsible for advising on the procedures and Regulations that should be followed in deciding the 2024 Olympic Events and Equipment. The Events Committee will debate electronically which Events will be placed under review and a recommendation will be given to World Sailing’s Council for approval by 31 January. By 19 February 2018, World Sailing’s Council will vote electronically on approving the Events Committee recommendation and if approved, the list of Events placed under review will be published. If World Sailing’s Council rejects the Events Committee recommendation, Council can debate which Events it wishes to place under review. They will vote electronically on which Events to place under review and the list will be published. In addition, under new Regulations approved by World Sailing’s Council in November, the Board of Directors will decide what Olympic Equipment is being reviewed in accordance with World Sailing’s anti-trust review procedures by 8 January 2018. In advance of World Sailing’s Mid-Year Meetings, set to be held in London, Great Britain in May, World Sailing will invite submissions, proposed changes to World Sailing’s regulations, from Member National Authorities, World Sailing Class Associations, the Board, the Chairmen of Committees established by Council, International or Recognized Rating Systems, the Chairman of the Women’s Forum and the President. The deadline for submissions is Monday 19 March 2018. The Events Committee will meet on 12 May with the Equipment Committee following on 13 May. World Sailing’s Council, the policy-making body, will meet on 14 and 15 May to make the final decision on the Events, the name of the competition, based-on advice from the expert committees. After World Sailing’s Council has decided the Events for 2024, the Equipment Committee will review the Equipment for the Events which were placed under review. The Events & Equipment Working Party will discuss the options and provide guidance to the Equipment Committee. Submissions on equipment can also be made to the November 2017 meetings proposing decisions in the same manner and if new equipment is to be selected, evaluation trials must be held. By no later than November 2019, World Sailing’s Council will decide on any new equipment used for 2024. The International Olympic Committee is expected to confirm the event programme for the 2024 Olympic Games in the autumn of 2020. Click here to review the Events & Equipment Selection Procedure Frequently Asked Questions for further information.

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