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Author Say NO to Olympics without windsurfing...
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19 Posts
Posted 18/08/2012, 2:13 am        Report Show Profile
I'm sick to my stomach that we had to kill windsurfing at the Olympics in order to get in. From what I can tell, I'm not the only one. How about we take the moral high ground and do something about it? The IKA represents our interests at ISAF. Let's ask the IKA to decline those spots on the Olympic Sailing Programme as long as Windsurfing isn't reinstated. Can you imagine the message that would send? If ISAF and the IOC are so desperate to add youth and media appeal to the Olympic Regatta, let them find a solution. What's the worst thing that can happen? We're kicked out of the Olympics, and so is Windsurfing. But we'll be able to hold our heads high. Doesn't that count for something? And who knows, freed from the constraints that ISAF places on our sports, we might team up with our other friends on the beach (surfers, freestylers, paddlers, etc.) and carve our own path into the Olympics! Let's show what it means to be 'brothers.' Let's stand up for each other! Please add your name to this petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/ika-say-no-to-olympics-without-windsurfing
ACT
1923 Posts
Posted 18/08/2012, 3:11 pm        Report Show Profile
kitewind said...
I'm sick to my stomach that we had to kill windsurfing at the Olympics in order to get in. From what I can tell, I'm not the only one. How about we take the moral high ground and do something about it? The IKA represents our interests at ISAF. Let's ask the IKA to decline those spots on the Olympic Sailing Programme as long as Windsurfing isn't reinstated. Can you imagine the message that would send? If ISAF and the IOC are so desperate to add youth and media appeal to the Olympic Regatta, let them find a solution. What's the worst thing that can happen? We're kicked out of the Olympics, and so is Windsurfing. But we'll be able to hold our heads high. Doesn't that count for something? And who knows, freed from the constraints that ISAF places on our sports, we might team up with our other friends on the beach (surfers, freestylers, paddlers, etc.) and carve our own path into the Olympics! Let's show what it means to be 'brothers.' Let's stand up for each other! Please add your name to this petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/ika-say-no-to-olympics-without-windsurfing
just NO to the Olympics .............
QLD
1825 Posts
Posted 18/08/2012, 5:38 pm        Report Show Profile
Not our fault. Let it ride I say.
NSW
107 Posts
Posted 18/08/2012, 5:45 pm        Report Show Profile
Kitewind is a windsurfer .. Why have you come on this forum posing as a kitesurfer??
QLD
1825 Posts
Posted 18/08/2012, 8:55 pm        Report Show Profile
Kitewind also created the petition but didn't own up to it in his post. Dodgy dealings my brother.
NSW
2412 Posts
Posted 18/08/2012, 10:00 pm        Report Show Profile
kiteboy dave said...
Kitewind also created the petition but didn't own up to it in his post. Dodgy dealings my brother.
And only 4 posts - me thinks me smells a rat
QLD
80 Posts
Posted 18/08/2012, 10:42 pm        Report Show Profile
kitewind said...
I'm sick to my stomach that we had to kill windsurfing at the Olympics in order to get in. From what I can tell, I'm not the only one. How about we take the moral high ground and do something about it? The IKA represents our interests at ISAF. Let's ask the IKA to decline those spots on the Olympic Sailing Programme as long as Windsurfing isn't reinstated. Can you imagine the message that would send? If ISAF and the IOC are so desperate to add youth and media appeal to the Olympic Regatta, let them find a solution. What's the worst thing that can happen? We're kicked out of the Olympics, and so is Windsurfing. But we'll be able to hold our heads high. Doesn't that count for something? And who knows, freed from the constraints that ISAF places on our sports, we might team up with our other friends on the beach (surfers, freestylers, paddlers, etc.) and carve our own path into the Olympics! Let's show what it means to be 'brothers.' Let's stand up for each other! Please add your name to this petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/ika-say-no-to-olympics-without-windsurfing
Boo Hoo!! Kite surfing is a much better spectator sport any way.
QLD
1198 Posts
Posted 19/08/2012, 12:47 am        Report Show Profile
Kitesurf Race will be the fastest Sailing Class ever in the Olympics! Its like the 100m Sprint in Athletics ;) and Johnny Heineken is Bolton lol I watched the Olympics on Austar and it was awesome. Cant wait to see the Kiters in there flying over the water. Its going to be exciting to watch kite racing and im sure this part of the sport will go far. Its fast and lots of fun to watch kites shoot through the sky and tangle at the start line. They could have raced windsurfers and kiters together but then the windsurfers wld just get left behind.. AMEN
19 Posts
Posted 19/08/2012, 1:08 am        Report Show Profile
Guys, I enjoy BOTH kiting AND windsurfing, and I just can't stand that ISAF is driving a wedge between us, that's all. There are two ways to go about it: either "let it ride" like kiteboy dave is saying, or try and do something about it. I'm making no mystery that I wrote that petition - I'm even using the exact same language! But it's all cool: if you don't like it, don't sign it.
INTHELOOP said...
Cant wait to see the Kiters in there flying over the water. Its going to be exciting to watch kite racing and im sure this part of the sport will go far. Its fast and lots of fun to watch kites shoot through the sky and tangle at the start line.
+1
INTHELOOP said...
They could have raced windsurfers and kiters together but then the windsurfers wld just get left behind...
Depends on the conditions and course setup, doesn't it? The Engadinwind was won by kiters this year, by windsurfers last year, etc. They even race the Moths in there too. Pretty fun event!
NSW
54 Posts
Posted 19/08/2012, 4:55 am        Report Show Profile
Sports come & go all the time on the Olympic stage.
VIC
3053 Posts
Posted 19/08/2012, 6:32 am        Report Show Profile
DrP00b said...
Sports come & go all the time on the Olympic stage.
There are a couple they should have taken out ages ago. Walking is not a sport and would be a good starter. Synchronized swimming would be a close second for removal.
QLD
169 Posts
Posted 19/08/2012, 7:40 am        Report Show Profile
Saffer said...
DrP00b said...
Sports come & go all the time on the Olympic stage.
There are a couple they should have taken out ages ago. Walking is not a sport and would be a good starter. Synchronized swimming would be a close second for removal.
Agree that walking could take the award for the most stupid Olympic sport (along with synchronized swimming and rythmic gymnastics) but is probably the most physically demanding event. And then tennis and golf. They have their own tournaments with plenty of coverage. Most of the tennis players left London right after they lost their matches to go to other tournerments. Not much of the Olympic spirit shown there. On the other hand, should there be an sailing in the Olympics at all?
WA
Barbados
1802 Posts
Posted 19/08/2012, 8:56 am        Report Show Profile
It's Rio..... I think kitesurfing is a great addition. Get rid of taekwando. That ITF flicky foot stuff was not entertaining to watch and is so far from a martial art its noy funny, put in MMA, and Brazil will win a few more gold medals.
VIC
406 Posts
Posted 19/08/2012, 9:19 am        Report Show Profile
I signed the petition. I think windsurfing should be retained, and said so here http://www.peterskiteboarding.com/2012/05/kitesurfing-in-olympic-games-but.html
VIC
1058 Posts
Posted 19/08/2012, 9:44 am        Report Show Profile
Glitch said...
Saffer said...
DrP00b said...
Sports come & go all the time on the Olympic stage.
There are a couple they should have taken out ages ago. Walking is not a sport and would be a good starter. Synchronized swimming would be a close second for removal.
Agree that walking could take the award for the most stupid Olympic sport (along with synchronized swimming and rythmic gymnastics) but is probably the most physically demanding event. And then tennis and golf. They have their own tournaments with plenty of coverage. Most of the tennis players left London right after they lost their matches to go to other tournerments. Not much of the Olympic spirit shown there. On the other hand, should there be an sailing in the Olympics at all?
I agree Tennis and Golf shouldn't be there - as there is so much exposure already for these sports and having them on the event list could be to the detriment of lesser known sports. Also, whilst winning a major or a Grand Slam tournament is an awesome achievement the rankings at the end of the year are also more telling. For sports like walking (where they walk almost as fast as marathon runners) the Olympics is the pinnacle of that particular discipline. Rhythmic Gymnastics I can't say I'm into but some of the moves I have seen those girls do make a handlepass look like a piece of cake! Also, the Olympics is pretty much the only time these sorts of sports get televised, which is interesting. Sailing is actually one of the original sports in the Olympics and given most word championships roll around once every four years I think it's a worthy addition. The amount of preparation those guys put in is truly extraordinary. For Windsurfing to be dropped there must be some additional underlying reasons apart from needing to make room for Kite Racing. I don't know what these are, but perhaps declining interest and a lack of flexibility by the world windsurfing body come into it.
QLD
131 Posts
Posted 19/08/2012, 10:41 am        Report Show Profile
I'm with Hamburglar What a complete commercialized mess it has become. Would love to see just the basics of human ability. Running, jumping throwing etc.
NSW
273 Posts
Posted 19/08/2012, 1:30 pm        Report Show Profile
hamburglar said...
kitewind said...
I'm sick to my stomach that we had to kill windsurfing at the Olympics in order to get in. From what I can tell, I'm not the only one. How about we take the moral high ground and do something about it? The IKA represents our interests at ISAF. Let's ask the IKA to decline those spots on the Olympic Sailing Programme as long as Windsurfing isn't reinstated. Can you imagine the message that would send? If ISAF and the IOC are so desperate to add youth and media appeal to the Olympic Regatta, let them find a solution. What's the worst thing that can happen? We're kicked out of the Olympics, and so is Windsurfing. But we'll be able to hold our heads high. Doesn't that count for something? And who knows, freed from the constraints that ISAF places on our sports, we might team up with our other friends on the beach (surfers, freestylers, paddlers, etc.) and carve our own path into the Olympics! Let's show what it means to be 'brothers.' Let's stand up for each other! Please add your name to this petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/ika-say-no-to-olympics-without-windsurfing
just NO to the Olympics .............
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
NSW
1103 Posts
Posted 19/08/2012, 1:47 pm        Report Show Profile
kitewind said...
I'm sick to my stomach that we had to kill windsurfing at the Olympics in order to get in. From what I can tell, I'm not the only one. How about we take the moral high ground and do something about it? The IKA represents our interests at ISAF. Let's ask the IKA to decline those spots on the Olympic Sailing Programme as long as Windsurfing isn't reinstated. Can you imagine the message that would send? If ISAF and the IOC are so desperate to add youth and media appeal to the Olympic Regatta, let them find a solution. What's the worst thing that can happen? We're kicked out of the Olympics, and so is Windsurfing. But we'll be able to hold our heads high. Doesn't that count for something? And who knows, freed from the constraints that ISAF places on our sports, we might team up with our other friends on the beach (surfers, freestylers, paddlers, etc.) and carve our own path into the Olympics! Let's show what it means to be 'brothers.' Let's stand up for each other! Please add your name to this petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/ika-say-no-to-olympics-without-windsurfing
wtf, are you off your meds. What makes you think anybody really cares(apart from the affected athletes themselves). What do you really think is going to happen with your petition? Do you think the ika is going to turn around and say " hold the phones, a few random kiters from a forum signed a petition, we better cancel our spot at the biggest sports event on earth". I agree its a shame windsurfing was axed, but seriously you are dilusional
19 Posts
Posted 20/08/2012, 1:16 am        Report Show Profile
bennie said...
What makes you think anybody really cares... I agree its a shame windsurfing was axed, but seriously you are dilusional
I probably am, LOL! But it makes me feel better to take a stand...
VIC
528 Posts
Posted 20/08/2012, 6:55 am        Report Show Profile
Out with the Old, In with the New!
WA
253 Posts
Posted 20/08/2012, 11:37 am        Report Show Profile
november vote and court case r going to be interesting. I expect may industry people inc manufacturers are being cautious about investing too much cash right now into the expectation just in case decision reversed. it is kind of weird kiting was chosen with no idea of kit, rules, course or discipline (eg slalom traditional course vs something new specific to kites) with kiters themselves still arguing over what to try next from the course side of things. It really has put everything in limbo. Will that course board be worth 1/2 in 8 months or maybe a 1/4, and will you be able to choose from a quiver of boards prior to event based of condition forecast because right now there is no way one board will cover all conditions if you want to be a winner. I think ISAF IKA partnership was the wrong choice and a top respected and respectable pro olympic kite racer should front up and go direct to IOC and explain the real life complications (not the IKA olympic report ones) of joining a kite power sport under the umbrella of sailing and do things properly. To have ISAF telling kiters what to do with regards to anything safety related is super dangerous - eg limiting kite choices prior to events.
WA
10373 Posts
Posted 21/08/2012, 6:44 pm        Report Show Profile
Interesting - this got full green thumbs in the windsurf forum and full red here. Who woulda thunk it? I think the proposal has some merit (and no, not just cos I windsurf). Some kiters may not be aware that after the vote many countries on the ISAF committee have said they voted in error or would change their vote if they could. The reason being that they did not know that the board intended the vote to be between kiting and windsurfing. That is, they thought they were voting for kiting to be in (and rightly so) but did not know that meant windsurfing would be out. And regardless of which sport you do, that is just not right.... one wonders if the head honcho blokes were swayed by sponsorship $$$ and didn't tell the rest of the committee the whole story. Since then, some countries rep's have been lobbied by their constituents in their own sailing scene and now realise they did not vote in accordance with all their member's wishes.... probably because the vote was sprung on them without knowing it was a WS vs KS vote. I'd like to see both in, they are both better to watch than most sailing classes. The November vote will be interesting ..... and kiters saying "we are happy to be in, but fairs fair what's the go with kicking the windsurfers out?" (which is all this petition aims to do) will help both sport's credibility.
19 Posts
Posted 22/08/2012, 1:56 am        Report Show Profile
Mark _australia said...
The November vote will be interesting ..... and kiters saying "we are happy to be in, but fairs fair what's the go with kicking the windsurfers out?" (which is all this petition aims to do) will help both sport's credibility.
Absolutely! Not many realize that there's likely to be a new vote in November. ISAF has a chance to do the right thing, for both kiters and windsurfers, as long as they open their eyes and see that there's a problem. Taking a stand now is not a complete waste of energy!
NSW
107 Posts
Posted 22/08/2012, 6:56 am        Report Show Profile
For who? They have to get a 75% majority to reverse. I don't see the benefit in this ongoing discussion. There are no new points being made.
19 Posts
Posted 23/08/2012, 5:52 am        Report Show Profile
archie00 said...
They have to get a 75% majority to reverse.
The idea is not to "reverse" to a point where kiteboarding isn't in there anymore! It's to have both sports in... I believe the 75% cutoff is to have anything at all changed in the decision (it could be that some folks will want to reopen the vote to give the match racing class another shot, who knows? Or to force ISAF to request new medals from the IOC)...
archie00 said...
I don't see the benefit in this ongoing discussion. There are no new points being made.
I think there are interesting points being made on this thread, but it's cool if you don't think so.
ACT
1923 Posts
Posted 23/08/2012, 6:00 am        Report Show Profile
kitewind said...
archie00 said...
They have to get a 75% majority to reverse.
The idea is not to "reverse" to a point where kiteboarding isn't in there anymore! It's to have both sports in... I believe the 75% cutoff is to have anything at all changed in the decision (it could be that some folks will want to reopen the vote to give the match racing class another shot, who knows? Or to force ISAF to request new medals from the IOC)...
archie00 said...
I don't see the benefit in this ongoing discussion. There are no new points being made.
I think there are interesting points being made on this thread, but it's cool if you don't think so.
^^^^is that you Flipper4444 ?
19 Posts
Posted 23/08/2012, 9:05 am        Report Show Profile
hamburglar said...
^^^^is that you Flipper4444 ?
I'm afraid not... But from what I can see from Flipper's profile, I'm flattered :)
WA
1527 Posts
Posted 23/08/2012, 9:23 am        Report Show Profile
kitewind said... The idea is not to "reverse" to a point where kiteboarding isn't in there anymore!
that's definately the impression you get from the threads in the windsurfing forum . TBH myself i don't care either way . It won't affect my day to day activities and it won't make me watch the olympics anymore than the 0 time i spent watching it this year
19 Posts
Posted 25/08/2012, 1:02 am        Report Show Profile
dusta said...
it won't make me watch the olympics anymore than the 0 time i spent watching it this year
Actually, I thought the broadcast of the sailing events was well done. They had many more camera angles than we're used to seeing: overhead choppers, start boat, pin boat, on-board from the front, from the back, looking backwards at the other competitor in match racing, on-shore with the spectators, etc. That, plus GPS trackers on every boat... All this new video production technology is pricey for sure, but that made it worth watching.
NSW
59 Posts
Posted 16/09/2012, 9:05 pm        Report Show Profile
I thought Olympics was supposed to be amature anyway - those pro tennis players should get the boot plus anyone driving one of those poncy dancing horses
19 Posts
Posted 17/09/2012, 2:28 pm        Report Show Profile
frankief said...
I thought Olympics was supposed to be amature anyway - those pro tennis players should get the boot plus anyone driving one of those poncy dancing horses
Yeah, amateurs are long gone, unfortunately... They'll be starting GOLF in Rio!!!?
 
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