Four Single-Handed Dinghies Still in Contention for the 2024 Olympics
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| The Devoti D-Zero is one of the four equipments still in contention for the single-handed dinghy for Paris 2024 |
The 4 equipments are:
- Laser
- Melges 14
- Devoti D Zero
- RS Aero
Source: http://www.sailing.org/news/87980.php#.W7T6iVKNyRs
« The Board’s Re-evaluation Working Party has reviewed the bids and has recommended to the Board that World Sailing should proceed to select new equipment with additional recommendation that the existing equipment (Laser/ILCA) is included as a full option in this process. »
According to the timeline below, there were yard visits and shortlisted candidates were asked to submit improved tenders, by September 3rd.
"Following shortlisting, in Phase 2, World Sailing undertook site visits to the manufacturers to confirm the submitted information, after which an improved bid was requested from each of them to address the supply of equipment to major events, the accessibility to the market by new builders and the standardization of equipment amongst different builders." states the World Sailing media release.
Equipment trials are expected to take place prior to September 1st 2019.
The equipment recommendation to the World Sailing Council, and the Council decision, should take place no later than November 2019.
How Will World Sailing Reach a Decision
As previously discussed in this blog, there is a number of criteria that have been set by World Sailing.
https://optimist-openbic-sailing.blogspot.com/2018/05/singlehanded-dinghies-for-2024-olympics.html
The technical requirements by World Sailing, against which scoring will take place, are as follows:
- Equipment development within the Olympic cycle: no development scores the highest here
- Athletic ability: the most demanding equipment scores the highest
- Height variable: lowest impact of sailor’s height to be score the highest
- Weight variable: lowest impact of sailor’s weight to be scored the highest
- Durability variable: highest durability to be scored the highest
- Other costs variable: transportation, launching, measurement and other such costs should be kept as low as possible
- Environmental impact variable: most environmentally friendly equipment to be scored the highest
It appears that the 7 requirements will then be weighted, yet, according to the tender documents, the working party may decide on different weights for these criteria.
In addition, World Sailing is mandating « A monohull dinghy designed to be sailed by one person, with variations in rig and sail to accommodate men and women respectively. »
This has substantial implications, as it will not be possible to choose from two different brands for the male and female dinghies, unless of course World Sailing amends this rule in the process.
World Sailing also requires for the boat to have the ability to be chartered locally through a strong distribution network. This implies that the boat is a strict one-design with few opportunities for optimization or customization.
Lastly, World Sailing requires for the event to be competed in a traditional format of fleet races, therefore the equipment should be suited to that purpose.
As a reminder, Regulation 23.1.2, that is used in choosing Olympic events and equipment states that, World Sailing shall seek to ensure that the Olympic equipment taken together shall meet the requirements and objectives of the IOC and to:
a) demonstrate the diversity of skills required to race various types of boats, and minimise the overlap between Events;
b) place an emphasis on athlete skill rather than equipment development, and limit the impact of equipment on performance;
c) demand a high level of athletic ability as well as excellent sailing skills;
d) be attractive and accessible to young athletes from all continents, and of different size and weight, with a clear pathway from World Sailing Youth to Olympic Events and Equipment;
e) maximise the participation of the world’s best sailors and showcase the diversity of the sport;
f) provide an effective platform for promotion of the sport, and elite sailors, between Olympics;
g) progress towards an equal number of Events for men and women to participate in;
h) avoid unnecessary or excessive equipment costs, development costs, measurement costs, coaching costs, race organisation and race official costs, and television and other media costs;
i) offer continuity of Events and evolution of Equipment to give MNAs and sailors a dependable pathway into Olympic competition with continuity of investment;
j) provide suitable Events and Equipment for Regional Games and other regattas;
k) minimise environmental impact.
Universality
The One-Person Dinghy event has been identified by the Events Committee as being Universal. The portion of the description of a Universal Event that adds criteria to the equipment selection, is as follows;
- Equipment is widely accessible around the world;
- Success is more related to athletic superiority and tactical understanding than technical knowledge of the specific equipment;
- Equipment is simple, standardized and no option is given for development, optimization or customization under its Class Rules.
See media release and documents by World Sailing: http://www.sailing.org/news/87044.php
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