Want to become a Sailing Olympian?

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) defines being an Olympian as an athlete that complete their competition. It is a revered term for someone displaying elite ability in their sport. Or at least it was until I received an email with the subject line:

Become an Olympian! Sign up for the Olympic Esports Series 2023

The Olympic Games are considered the world’s foremost sports competition which the IOC, in their eagerness to appear progressive, now includes electronic sports.

The International Olympic Committee identified nine games for the Olympic Esports Series 2023, and Sailing has been selected alongside Archery, Baseball, Chess, Cycling, Dance, Motor sport, Taekwondo, and Tennis.

The Sailing competition spans two categories – A 30-day Offshore endurance race around the world and the Inshore competition featuring multiple boat classes including the Nacra 17, 49er, and ILCA. The top finishers travel to Singapore for the Olympic Esports Finals 2023.

Qualifiers have begun but registration (click here) is still available.

So, after my lamenting for how the 2023 US Sailing Championship of Champions regatta would be decided in radio-control boats, at least the competitors would be outside. For these joy-sticking Olympians, they won’t need the sunscreen.

Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFx
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFoil
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFoil
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17

Venue: Marseille, France
Dates: July 26-August 11

Details: https://www.paris2024.org/en/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/