if it's open (not forced mixed), women won't likely participate in large numbers,
Since when did the Olympics become an affirmative action/ Title IX victim? This ain't Tball where everyone plays!
Moreover, the athletes that we talk with will be all for a men's event.... It's in their personal best interest as well. Look they are committed pro's looking to move up in the sport. Now with an AC Cup on the scene... they aspire to hook on with a campaign (See gasby) post Olympics. Of course they want a mens multihull event... it means nothing!
If the Multihull is Men (or Open)... and the women want a 470 event and not a multihull event... So be it! ... The IOC is happy that there is equal opportunity... Men's cat.. women's 470 .... The IOC is unhappy about having to watch and market 470 racing on TV.... THAT IS SAILING"S PROBLEM...
How long do you think the Olympic 470 women's teams would take to figure out a cat and be top 10 in the amateur ranks of ANY multihull class. ... a month.. tops.
The MNAs are just protecting their perceived edge and their existing athletes investments and trying to cover up this harsh fact with a flim flam. The IOC will see through the smoke an mirrors... What they do with the sport that won't get with the program... ... HMMMM.
This battle is strictly about politics of trying to get an edge for your country at the MNA level.... NOT AT ALL about WHAT IS GOOD FOR OLYMPIC SAILING or the integrity of Olympic Sailing.
Good news that some of the participants see through this lame proposal.
