Testing new format for 2028 Olympics

Sailing, unlike other sports, has an uncertain playing field. Changes in weather significantly impact the results, but given enough races, the law of averages sorts it out. While a series of races with cumulative scoring may be best for the competitor, it does not deliver sufficient excitement for the Olympics.

With ten events, formats get tested that suit the equipment and deliver sufficient entertainment without fully forgetting fairness in sport. The formats vary, and often change, which can be confusing. Such is the life of an Olympic sport that struggles to attract revenue.

The Men’s and Women’s One Person Dinghy events, which use the ILCA 7 and 6, will be testing a new multi-stage system on October 7-12 in Vilamoura, Portugal. If all goes well, this will be the plan for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

It begins with all boats completing 6-8 races, after which the top 28 advance to the next round with no points carried over. They are split into two fleets, complete three races, with the top seven from each group meeting for a final shoot-out in which the cumulative low score from three more races wins. – Details

Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Sailing Program (July 16-28):
First Week – July 16-20
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class – Long Beach, CA
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class – Long Beach, CA
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL – Long Beach, CA
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL – Long Beach, CA

Second Week – July 23-28
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7 – Los Angeles, CA
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6 – Los Angeles, CA
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470 – Los Angeles, CA
Men’s Skiff – 49er – Los Angeles, CA
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX – Los Angeles, CA
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17 – Los Angeles, CA