News

Women�s Olympic Skiff Trials - Message from LDC

Women�s Olympic Skiff Trials You may well have heard that ISAF (International Sailing Federation) are planning to hold a trial for a potential women�s Olympic skiff class. We, LDC Racing Sailboats, have been encouraged by ISAF to take part in the trials. We are considering this and would work in partnership with Vanguard Sailboats in the USA to develop a new boat based on one of our existing models � Vanguard�s Vector or the RS800. The first step would be to choose the model to develop. If we choose to develop the RS800 for the possible Olympic slot we would then make a number of changes specifically to suit this role. The changes are a long way from being defined yet and may include the rig, racks and deck layout. Completely separate class rules and events would be required. The class would probably be named with a suffix, for example RS800 XL, in line with some of our other boats. We believe that a separate class would not affect the events and success of the RS800. There are no current 800 teams likely to be drawn into the new fleet - it would not be possible for Olympic sailors to compete in RS800 events without changing boats. This project has a very long way to go: Choice of boat to develop Trials Selection MAJOR hurdle for ISAF to deselect an existing class to make way for a women�s skiff for the 2012 Games. It�s actually an even bigger hurdle than that because sailing has to go down from 11 to 10 classes in 2012 anyway. If all that lot went our way, then the major benefit would be internationalisation (is that a word) of the RS name plus steady, if not huge, sales of a new class. The purpose of this message is to keep you informed of our deliberations and ask that you contact us if you have any comments. We want you to know that we are acutely aware of the strength and success of the RS800 fleet and, as you already know, we are already committed to working with the Class to build on that. Martin Wadhams LDC Racing Sailboats