Over the years there has been discussion about the inclusion/exclusion of Catamarans in Olympics, Youth World Championships, Regional Games and in this case the Asian Games.
There are forces in Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF) that would drop Catamarans from the list of Classes.
At Olympic level there is a chance that the Nacra 17 will be replaced with an even more expensive Cat.
There are forces in Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF) that would drop Catamarans from the list of Classes.
At Olympic level there is a chance that the Nacra 17 will be replaced with an even more expensive Cat.
If Catamarans are included World Sailing (formally ISAF) seem to be going for the most expensive brands. Brands that wealthy Europeans and Americans can scarcely afford.
Many Asian Countries (MNAs) and their sailors can’t afford these new high tech expensive models.
So what should we do?
Every North, South and East Asian MNA and/or sailor has a Hobie 16. There are hundreds of thousands of them.
This year China purchased 60 brand new Hobie 16s for the World Championships in Shenzhen.
The next Asian Games will be hosted by Indonesia in 2019. ASAF has already moved to exclude Catamarans. Many MNAs would like the Hobie 16 included.Indonesia has indicated that they would like to Hobie 16 to be included in their games.
Every Asian Hobie Sailor and every Asian Hobie Association needs to impress on their respective National Sailing Authorities (MNAs) to write and speak to ASAF and to attend their meetings and to vote for Hobie 16 to be included.
Mark Pryke
Vice President
International Hobie® Class Association