QUOTABLE: Sailing is a consistency sport

Three-time Star World Champion Robert Scheidt (BRA), who medaled in the keelboat event at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, returned to the Laser to compete at the ISAF Sailing World Cup event in Hyeres, France.

Scheidt’s roots run deep in the Laser class, winning the World title eight-times while medaling at the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympics. But now at 40 years, and with the Star removed from the Olympics, Scheidt seeks to continue his Olympic career where it began.

Scheidt, who finished second overall in the 113-boat fleet, comments in this video on the new Olympic format…

“It is good to try new things, but my concern is in how sailing is a consistency sport. With the new format, the first five races at the beginning of the regatta only count as one race, and I don’t agree with that. The person who was most consistent during those races should be ahead, and have the points advantage over the fleet that they have earned. So the first part of the regatta is minimized, which now makes the regatta only a few days.”

Here was the six-day format for the Laser series:
Qualifying Series: Two days with five races; each sailor’s rank becomes their non-discardable Carry Forward (CF) race in the Final Series.
Final Series: Three days with six races; the combined score of the CF race and the six races determines the top ten sailors; the top ten sailors advance to the sixth day for the Medal Stage.
Medal Stage: One day with two non-discardable races that count for double points. The points from this day when combined with the Final Series points determine the final standings.