Developing the Paris 2024 keelboat event

The Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition will, for the first time ever, feature a Mixed Two Person Keelboat Offshore Event. Beyond determining the event format, which is anticipated to extend over two nights, selection of equipment has been a high priority.

In December 2019, World Sailing issued a Request for Information (RFI) and received 12 responses from manufacturers and designers who provided information such as technical data including production capacity, handicap certificates, statements of suitability for double handed sailing, sailor’s endorsements, and existing fleet sizes.

The following manufacturers and classes responded to the RFI:

• Dehler 30 OD
• Django 8s
• FarEast 28 R
• Figaro 3
• J/88
• J/99
• J/105
• JPK1030
• L30
• Sunfast 3300
• TEN2
• Vector6.5

At World Sailing’s 2019 Annual Conference in Bermuda, World Sailing’s Council, the main decision-making body of World Sailing, approved the decision-making process for the selection of Equipment for the Event.

With an intent to limit an arm’s race among competing nations, the criteria for suitable Equipment for the Olympic Offshore Event will be published no later than December 31, 2020 and the Equipment for Paris 2024 to be selected no later December 31, 2023.

With regards to the qualification events, a list of Equipment that meets the qualification criteria shall be published no later than December 31, 2020. It is expected that the criteria will give the widest possible choice of suitable equipment, giving many manufacturers the opportunity for their equipment to be selected.

A 2024 Offshore Equipment Working Party composed of members of the Equipment Committee, Oceanic and Offshore Committee, and World Sailing Technical and Offshore team has been put to the task to consider criteria and evaluate the suitability of Equipment.

The RFI responses will help guide event organizers and provide Member National Authorities with opportunities to train and compete in Equipment that is readily available and affordable within their country and continent.

On April 7, 2020, manufacturers and Class Associations will join members of the Offshore Equipment Working Party to further discuss Equipment and criteria.

Manufacturers and Class Associations who wish to be considered should review the RFI and send the requested information to World Sailing’s Technical and Offshore team.

Source: World Sailing, Scuttlebutt