News
KITESURFING OUT, WINDSURFING BACK IN
In case you didn't hear, windsurfing was reinstated into the Olympics and kitesurf racing dropped as a result of the final vote at the ISAF meeting in Ireland over the weekend. How a professional organisation in charge of Olympic decision making could have got itself into such a pickle is perhaps something we will never find out. It certainly won't tarnish kitesurfing's image or reputation as those involved with the promotion of the sport through the process handled themselves impeccably and those of us who do the sport will simply continue to enjoy it. Also, let's remember that this decision might be a blessing in disguise. Kitesurfing is still a young sport and needs room to breathe and develop naturally. It's simply very different to any other sport and difficult to pigeon hole. It now can evolve in its own time in all its disciplines. There are some amazing events coming up to look forward to, let me tell you and, as Steph Bridge pointed out in a post on Saturday, we only have to look at sailing's Extreme 40s series to see how successful and exciting a non-Olympic class can be on its own. Surfing hasn't done too badly through not being in the Olympics, either. This is a shot from the World Racing Championships in Sardinia in October. Looking at the popularity of this event, certain decision makers could be left rather red faced by the time we hit 2016. We will post as and when we hear more background details