We've qualified a men's rep in both 2008 and 2012, but it remains to be seen whether they will actually send an athlete or not. Luke Baillie is in the box seat I would think if they do ....

Steve Allan

because arthur tunstall says if they're not going to win gold they can't bloody go

I think you'll find it's because Jessica has fulfilled the requirements of Yachting Australia by achieving a high performance (including wins) in ISAF ranked regattas. The criteria were published long ago.

No disrespect to Luke, but he hasn't been getting the same sort of finishes, and 5th at the last Olympics wasn't exactly a bad result from Jess!

Whatever you may think of the fact that the YA and Australian Olympic Commission want to save bucks by not sending athletes who have not achieved the required finishes, they have been applying it for years. In 1988 and 1992 we didn't send a men's 470 crew because although we had trials, no one achieved the required performance at overseas regattas.

I don't like the policy, but sending someone to the Games apparently does cost big $$ that they want to spend elsewhere, if there is no chance of a good finish. And given that we went from not competing in 470s in '88 and '92 to winning Gold two Games later, the old line "how do you expect to get better if you don't send sailors" was exposed as complete rubbish....pity 'cause I believed it too!

PS my recollection is that no male RSX sailor achieved the required standard last Games. At the 2008 Worlds Steve was 48th and Michael Lancey in the 60s, but I thought Michael may have out-scored Steve in other regattas??????

The fact that a sailor of Steve's brilliance was that far down does seem to underline that the FW sailors weren't going to walk away with the RSX as some fanbois claimed!

Thanx Chris 249
There's obviously more politics in Olympic Sailing than I realized
Could you please direct me to the criteria for actually going to the Olympics
I found this website
http://worldwindsurfingchampionships2012.rsxclass.com/entries.jsp?competition_id=WC2012_001&sub_competition_id=WC2012_002
And according to it 3 Aussie males qualifed for the Olympic but it seems they have not reached the criteria required by the AOC

If someone wants to compete at the Olympics why can't they just stump up their own cash and compete? It annoys me that taxpayer money goes towards paying for someone's jolly jaunt and partying around the world. Plenty of more important things around that the money could be spent on and if there aren't it would do Australian taxpayers a lot of good to pay less tax.

Mobydisc said...

If someone wants to compete at the Olympics why can't they just stump up their own cash and compete? It annoys me that taxpayer money goes towards paying for someone's jolly jaunt and partying around the world. Plenty of more important things around that the money could be spent on and if there aren't it would do Australian taxpayers a lot of good to pay less tax.

Doesn't matter now...after 2012 no windsurfing anyway.

Besides that, have a go if you're not happy. I wouldn't call Olympic level training and commitment a party. Would rather see a sporting representative be funded to compete at world events and inspire others to have a go, than give money to someone who sits on the lounge all day doing f... all.

Victor B said...

Mobydisc said...

If someone wants to compete at the Olympics why can't they just stump up their own cash and compete? It annoys me that taxpayer money goes towards paying for someone's jolly jaunt and partying around the world. Plenty of more important things around that the money could be spent on and if there aren't it would do Australian taxpayers a lot of good to pay less tax.

Doesn't matter now...after 2012 no windsurfing anyway.

Besides that, have a go if you're not happy. I wouldn't call Olympic level training and commitment a party. Would rather see a sporting representative be funded to compete at world events and inspire others to have a go, than give money to someone who sits on the lounge all day doing f... all.

I know the type you are talking about, playing puter games shooting kids for enjoyment

Paul Kelf said...

Victor B said...

Mobydisc said...

If someone wants to compete at the Olympics why can't they just stump up their own cash and compete? It annoys me that taxpayer money goes towards paying for someone's jolly jaunt and partying around the world. Plenty of more important things around that the money could be spent on and if there aren't it would do Australian taxpayers a lot of good to pay less tax.

Doesn't matter now...after 2012 no windsurfing anyway.

Besides that, have a go if you're not happy. I wouldn't call Olympic level training and commitment a party. Would rather see a sporting representative be funded to compete at world events and inspire others to have a go, than give money to someone who sits on the lounge all day doing f... all.

I know the type you are talking about, playing puter games shooting kids for enjoyment

Funny you should mention that...

They're not so bad...so I red thumbed you!

What has the Old One Design Windsurfer and windsurfing in the Olympics Have in common

Skandia Sail for Gold starts today in Weymouth, we have to sailors competing. Jessica Crisp who placed second in the Delta LLoyd. Well done looking very competitive for the Olympics.

Luke Baille last four placings 44th in Perth, 58th in Cadiz, 26th in France and 24th in Holland. His results are steadily improving. Australia has qualified for the Olympics in Mens RSX we should be sending a rep. I will send an email to YA asking why we aren't sending a rep, cant be the cost as I,m sure the CEO of YA plus hangers on will be attending the Olympics in first class 5 star eat at restaurants 3 times a day style. Perhaps if they forgo a first class ticket to London the money can be used to fund an Athlete who has been training and campaigning for years.

www.sail-world.com/USA

Mens RSX event will have no Australian.

Nah, if he sailed for Australia he wouldn't be going either!!!!

swoosh said...

somewhat relevant news article i just read..

www.news.com.au/national/one-final-hurdle-shes-qualified-for-the-games-but-australia-doesnt-want-her/news-story/be8c52b52b917a54589ccfb683dc47d9

seems like a lot of public support to get athletes who qualify to the games... wonder why there isn't an article about luke.

Because athletics is mainstream and windsurfing is not.
Because athletics is considered accessible and windsurfing is considered elitist.
Because this girl is pretty and Luke is not a good looking girl.
Because Yachting Australia doesnt control Athletics in Australia.
Because some sports have not forgotten that competing trumps winning.

JB

word is because kiting has taken over for RIO, theres no need to send them this year an no need to keep funding RSX training.

kinda sad, I'm and kiter and windsurfer.... Kite course racing is ****.