Going on the offensive to avoid removal

For the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, World Sailing has placed four of the 10 sailing events under review as part of its required Olympic program evaluation process. The events are:

• Men’s Kite (Formula Kite): Keep kite racing, modify the format/equipment, or replace it?
• Women’s Kite (Formula Kite): Same review questions; possible evolution toward new foiling/wings formats has been discussed.
• Mixed Dinghy (470 Dinghy): Whether the 470 remains the best platform for a mixed-gender Olympic dinghy event.
• Mixed Multihull (Nacra 17): Whether the Nacra 17 remains the preferred mixed multihull or whether another format/equipment should replace it.

World Sailing will review recommendations at its 2026 Annual Conference, with options including:

• Retain the event and current equipment
• Retain the event but evolve the equipment
• Retain the event but adopt new equipment
• Replace the event with a different event/equipment

Among the options, the current equipment is most at risk, and the 470 Class has reason to be worried. First included at the 1976 Games, it is the oldest boat currently used, and its existence as a Class relies heavily on being Olympic equipment.

Some classes survive removal, such as the Star and Finn, while others – Flying Dutchman, Soling, Tempest, Tornado – significantly shrink. The 470 could join them.

To demonstrate their desire to survive, the 470 Class has a plan on how it will support sailor development and widen access to competitive sailing opportunities around the world. For details, click here.

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

For more details, click here.