Very interesting PWA foiling event covered nicely by Ben Proffitt. With the trialing of foil slalom the wind limit has been lowered to near 5 knots .Other races held in 40. A big thumbs up from the RSXers who all agreed it should be the direction the olympics should go.It does look very exciting. Should it be selected for the olympics I would find it spectacular viewing, bit of bad luck to all those who like their olympics sports slow and dumbed down.
I think Foil and the Glide are the real contenders for selection.......

There is no such thing as a "dumbed down" Olympic sport. They all require the utmost from the top competitors. The Laser class is the slowest Olympic class and it is not "dumbed down" at all, as the record of the sailors who come out of it proves.

Yep down wind slalom not dumbed down , for the intelligent tactical racer . LOL

I think foiling will be great in the Olympics the problem is if they follow the PWA foiling rules the costs will be enormous and not accessible to many countries. There is no one design foil class yet suitable for Olympics. I expect the Glide will be much cheaper and the LT also, compared to foiling. I would prefer the Glide on the basis of cost and given that foiling in 5 knots is not necessarily working at least in my experience. The Glide appears to be growing in China and that is an important consideration. I love the LT but it will not be an issue if the LT remains outside the Olympics as the LT will be the fun class capable of growing at Club level without Olympics. I expect the Glide and/or LT will also be taken up in clubs too across Asia and Australia filling in gaps between dinghy sailors who need to continue sailing after they grow out of Flying Ants and similar. The Glide at 276 litres may be a great alternative as it has more volume than many raceboards and will accomodate heavier sailors, or so it appears.

looks like breakdancing could be in for Paris 2024

www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-26/the-changing-face-of-the-olympic-games-breakdancing-paris-2024/11247244

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windsufering said..
Yep down wind slalom not dumbed down , for the intelligent tactical racer . LOL

It's not an Olympic event. Actually, it would be great to have slalom as part of a three or four discipline windsurfing event IMHO.

But if slalom DID become Olympic, the level of competition would ensure that it wasn't "dumbed down".

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Chris249 said..

windsufering said..
Yep down wind slalom not dumbed down , for the intelligent tactical racer . LOL

It's not an Olympic event. Actually, it would be great to have slalom as part of a three or four discipline windsurfing event IMHO.

But if slalom DID become Olympic, the level of competition would ensure that it wasn't "dumbed down".

Down wind slalom really , in 5 knots of wind
like kite boarding what's that saying
what's the difference between a pro kiter and a beginner
two weeks

The only proposal to include slalom was the windsurfer Lt
and I can tell you it's not a down wind slalom course !

I didn't say anything about any actual proposal incorporating slalom. What I was saying is that IF slalom was in the Games then the 1000 or so Olympic aspirants would train so hard over four years or more, and be coached to such a high level, that the level of tactics would rise. Therefore there would be no "dumbed down" sailing at Olympic level.

It could be a bit like top-level bike sprinting, for example, which tests the ability to weave your way through the bunch at incredibly high speed and with people blocking you and crashing around you, like this.\

?t=2

It wouldn't be conventional tactics, but it wouldn't be "dumbed down" and nor would RBs, FW, slalom or LT.

The people I know who say that any form of sailing is "dumbed down" are normally the ones who have never done that form of sailing much or at a significant level, and have never won much in any form of sailing.

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fjdoug said..
looks like breakdancing could be in for Paris 2024

www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-26/the-changing-face-of-the-olympic-games-breakdancing-paris-2024/11247244

Could they include a second pole dance discipline to the olympics?.

^^^^^Now that would get air time and support in the games.
Had to laugh when the vid host said " When people think of poledancing they think of a dark room filled with dirty old men " ....seabreeze poledance forumers ????????

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Chris249 said..
I didn't say anything about any actual proposal incorporating slalom. What I was saying is that IF slalom was in the Games then the 1000 or so Olympic aspirants would train so hard over four years or more, and be coached to such a high level, that the level of tactics would rise. Therefore there would be no "dumbed down" sailing at Olympic level.

It could be a bit like top-level bike sprinting, for example, which tests the ability to weave your way through the bunch at incredibly high speed and with people blocking you and crashing around you, like this.\

?t=2

It wouldn't be conventional tactics, but it wouldn't be "dumbed down" and nor would RBs, FW, slalom or LT.

The people I know who say that any form of sailing is "dumbed down" are normally the ones who have never done that form of sailing much or at a significant level, and have never won much in any form of sailing.

The most popular and prestigious event is the 100M sprint, not sure how many tactics go into that 10s of competition.

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cammd said..

Chris249 said..
I didn't say anything about any actual proposal incorporating slalom. What I was saying is that IF slalom was in the Games then the 1000 or so Olympic aspirants would train so hard over four years or more, and be coached to such a high level, that the level of tactics would rise. Therefore there would be no "dumbed down" sailing at Olympic level.

It could be a bit like top-level bike sprinting, for example, which tests the ability to weave your way through the bunch at incredibly high speed and with people blocking you and crashing around you, like this.\

?t=2

It wouldn't be conventional tactics, but it wouldn't be "dumbed down" and nor would RBs, FW, slalom or LT.

The people I know who say that any form of sailing is "dumbed down" are normally the ones who have never done that form of sailing much or at a significant level, and have never won much in any form of sailing.

The most popular and prestigious event is the 100M sprint, not sure how many tactics go into that 10s of competition.

It's not comparable - it's not a sailing event, the starting positions are (I think) drawn by lot, and there are lanes marked out on the ground. None of those factors apply in slalom. And there's plenty of evidence that sprints and other similar events are largely determined by genetics, a factor that doesn't apply much to sailing.

In many sailing classes it's accepted that mark rounding tactics are critical. Slalom has lots of mark rounding, in proportion to its length. The lines you take into marks, the tightness of your gybe, the way you control other competitors and other factors mean that it's not "dumbed down".

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Chris249 said..

cammd said..

Chris249 said..
I didn't say anything about any actual proposal incorporating slalom. What I was saying is that IF slalom was in the Games then the 1000 or so Olympic aspirants would train so hard over four years or more, and be coached to such a high level, that the level of tactics would rise. Therefore there would be no "dumbed down" sailing at Olympic level.

It could be a bit like top-level bike sprinting, for example, which tests the ability to weave your way through the bunch at incredibly high speed and with people blocking you and crashing around you, like this.\

?t=2

It wouldn't be conventional tactics, but it wouldn't be "dumbed down" and nor would RBs, FW, slalom or LT.

The people I know who say that any form of sailing is "dumbed down" are normally the ones who have never done that form of sailing much or at a significant level, and have never won much in any form of sailing.

The most popular and prestigious event is the 100M sprint, not sure how many tactics go into that 10s of competition.

It's not comparable - it's not a sailing event, the starting positions are (I think) drawn by lot, and there are lanes marked out on the ground. None of those factors apply in slalom. And there's plenty of evidence that sprints and other similar events are largely determined by genetics, a factor that doesn't apply much to sailing.

In many sailing classes it's accepted that mark rounding tactics are critical. Slalom has lots of mark rounding, in proportion to its length. The lines you take into marks, the tightness of your gybe, the way you control other competitors and other factors mean that it's not "dumbed down".

I agree with you, slalom would be a great event if it were not so dependent on conditions, Olympics is about being the fastest or strongest or fittest. In some events that requires tactics, other events its just athleticism. The most popular event in the games is over in 10s. Maybe foiling will be a game changer.

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windsufering said..
The only proposal to include slalom was the windsurfer Lt
and I can tell you it's not a down wind slalom course !

When was the last time you did some proper slalom??

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Rob11 said..

windsufering said..
The only proposal to include slalom was the windsurfer Lt
and I can tell you it's not a down wind slalom course !

When was the last time you did some proper slalom??

Well that depends what a proper slalom course is ?
If it's a Wally slalom , end of April Super Sunday we had 32 wallys LT's I think it was the biggest slalom event this year !

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windsufering said..

Rob11 said..

windsufering said..
The only proposal to include slalom was the windsurfer Lt
and I can tell you it's not a down wind slalom course !

When was the last time you did some proper slalom??

Well that depends what a proper slalom course is ?
If it's a Wally slalom , end of April Super Sunday we had 32 wallys LT's I think it was the biggest slalom event this year !

Awesome, I'd suggest you get your head out of the sand...

You're pushing sh%t uphill imo...

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Rob11 said..

windsufering said..

Rob11 said..

windsufering said..
The only proposal to include slalom was the windsurfer Lt
and I can tell you it's not a down wind slalom course !

When was the last time you did some proper slalom??

Well that depends what a proper slalom course is ?
If it's a Wally slalom , end of April Super Sunday we had 32 wallys LT's I think it was the biggest slalom event this year !

Awesome, I'd suggest you get your head out of the sand...

You're pushing sh%t uphill imo...

Why
the class is growing very well
did you know that if you add all the entrants in the Aust champs In the formula class , race board , bic techno,slalom and foil classes it's still smaller than the wallys
not pushing sh%t uphill imo...
btw looking forward to watching the skills of down wind slalom in 5 knots

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windsufering said..

Rob11 said..

windsufering said..

Rob11 said..

windsufering said..
The only proposal to include slalom was the windsurfer Lt
and I can tell you it's not a down wind slalom course !

When was the last time you did some proper slalom??

Well that depends what a proper slalom course is ?
If it's a Wally slalom , end of April Super Sunday we had 32 wallys LT's I think it was the biggest slalom event this year !

Awesome, I'd suggest you get your head out of the sand...

You're pushing sh%t uphill imo...

Why
the class is growing very well
did you know that if you add all the entrants in the Aust champs In the formula class , race board , bic techno,slalom and foil classes it's still smaller than the wallys
not pushing sh%t uphill imo...
btw looking forward to watching the skills of down wind slalom in 5 knots

What skills if it's 5 knots it will be a pump fest in the LT

The wallys have a upwind leg and sailing rules
no pumping up wind
also pump fest in every other class

If any class, including Wallies, did slalom in 5 knots it would be a pumpfest. Light wind slalom in Wallies is a complete Pumpfest.

You shouldn't knock slalom on shortboards; it's one of the most fantastic ways to race, and takes lots of skill.

I'd rather be on a Wally than a short board in 5 knots of wind !
I watched a clip on foils doing down wind slalom in 5 knots of wind and imo it's dumbed down sailing
any slalom in 5 kts isn't fun
its my opion

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windsufering said..
I'd rather be on a Wally than a short board in 5 knots of wind !
I watched a clip on foils doing down wind slalom in 5 knots of wind and imo it's dumbed down sailing
any slalom in 5 kts isn't fun
its my opion

Why would you call it dumbed down?.

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AUS 814 said..

windsufering said..
I'd rather be on a Wally than a short board in 5 knots of wind !
I watched a clip on foils doing down wind slalom in 5 knots of wind and imo it's dumbed down sailing
any slalom in 5 kts isn't fun
its my opion

Why would you call it dumbed down?.

Looking forward when you organise slalom racers in 5 kts of wind !

Pity you don't answer the question

I think tha the fact is that your not going to organise slalom race in 5 kts of wind is the answer
enjoy your 5 kt slalom training

"The (man/) lady doth protest too much, me thinks."

Windsufering, while I respect your dedication and passion for what you think is the pinnacle of our sport, I have to agree with Rob11, you are pushing crap uphill pretty hard now.

Splitting hairs, arguing extremes instead of generalities, listening with closed ears but a very open mouth, these are the behaviours that old mate Shakespeare is perhaps alluding.

Windsufering, do you have a vested interest in the LT other than an enjoyment of it. Are you really being honest with yourself?

I have sailed every version of our sport (longboard, ultra shortboard (2.1m), speed, surf, slalom, foil, formula, inflatable etc.) and for me windsurf foiling is the only one that has a future in international events for our sport. If that can't be a reality at the Olympics, for whatever reason, I'd prefer no representation.

Why would you prefer nothing to, for example, Raceboard or slalom in the Games?????

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Belly25 said..
"The (man/) lady doth protest too much, me thinks."

Windsufering, while I respect your dedication and passion for what you think is the pinnacle of our sport, I have to agree with Rob11, you are pushing crap uphill pretty hard now.

Splitting hairs, arguing extremes instead of generalities, listening with closed ears but a very open mouth, these are the behaviours that old mate Shakespeare is perhaps alluding.

Windsufering, do you have a vested interest in the LT other than an enjoyment of it. Are you really being honest with yourself?

I have sailed every version of our sport (longboard, ultra shortboard (2.1m), speed, surf, slalom, foil, formula, inflatable etc.) and for me windsurf foiling is the only one that has a future in international events for our sport. If that can't be a reality at the Olympics, for whatever reason, I'd prefer no representation.

Nice work

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Belly25 said..
"The (man/) lady doth protest too much, me thinks."

Windsufering, while I respect your dedication and passion for what you think is the pinnacle of our sport, I have to agree with Rob11, you are pushing crap uphill pretty hard now.

Splitting hairs, arguing extremes instead of generalities, listening with closed ears but a very open mouth, these are the behaviours that old mate Shakespeare is perhaps alluding.

Windsufering, do you have a vested interest in the LT other than an enjoyment of it. Are you really being honest with yourself?

I have sailed every version of our sport (longboard, ultra shortboard (2.1m), speed, surf, slalom, foil, formula, inflatable etc.) and for me windsurf foiling is the only one that has a future in international events for our sport. If that can't be a reality at the Olympics, for whatever reason, I'd prefer no representation.

Not sure I agree with that, I would think wave sailing, free style and speed all have a future, I think the other racing classes have a future as well.