The "ISAF Hits New Low" article is excellent - I would reccomend reading it all the way through twice, despite its length and poor title choice. Very good job of 'setting the scene,' explaining the lead-up and describing how the various MNAs balance considerations. Reasoned explanations for re-opening the vote like the one presented by Phil Jones are exactly what is needed to move forward. Threats of forming a new international body or lawsuits or petitions are far less effective - in fact, things like that damage our position terribly, especially when those threats are empty.
In the US the Multihull Council is working along these lines, although to say it is an uphill battle is to comically understate our situation. There is plenty of international support to keep the multihull event in the Games, but we are a vocal minority in this country with too few volunteers working at the national level. It isn't even about the sailors or our chances at medalling (again!) in my opinion. It is about perception - something far more difficult to sway. The two basic and unavoidable issues we face are that multihull sailors are a minority in the US, and that some members of the Board of USSA currently believe that the men's keelboats event must be preserved over the multihull event.
Counter arguements and positions against re-opening the vote are solidifying behind the scenes. Each point raised by RYA and YA is met with criticism and undermining interpretations of the 2002 and 2005 IOC documents - some ISAF officials are feeling very defensive because of the vitriolic responses they've received. We are, however, making progress.
Will there be a multihull event in 2012? I just can't say. What I can assert with more certainty is that things are different in the US today, will be very different in a year, and may be dramatically different in three years.
