World Sailing's Council today selected individual kiteboarding events for men and women as the preferred alternative choice, should the planned double handed mixed offshore event not be approved by the IOC Executive Board in their session 8 - 10 June 2021.
The vote followed a week of discussion in the Events and Equipment committees, where delegates had the choice between 15 alternative event submissions put forward by World Sailing members and class association.
World Sailings Events Committee had recommended to separate the mixed 470 event into separate men's and women's events in a 7-6 decision, over splitting the kite mixed relay event.
The second reporting committee, World Sailings Equipment Committee, proposed both options in opposite order in a 10-7 decision, their first choice being separating the mixed kite relay into individual men's and women's events.
World Sailings Council first voted on the recommendation of the Events Committee, which was rejected 60 to 40 %.
Council then voted on the recommendation of the Equipment Committee which was approved with more than 94%.
“The IKA is respectful of the decision made by Council members to select the Mixed Offshore event for Paris 2024 and are delighted that Mixed Kiteboarding has been previously approved by the IOC." said Markus Schwendtner, Secretary General of the International Kiteboarding Association.
It is important to note that the mixed double handed offshore event remains World Sailings first choice for the 10th medal at the Paris 2024 Games, and that the final decision now lies with the IOC Executive Board to confirm the final sailing programme for the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad.
“Today’s vote by Council to propose Men’s and Women’s Kiteboarding as the first alternative events shows the trust they have in kiteboarding. We now await the next steps from World Sailing and the IOC." Schwendtner added.
The IKA Executive Committee will review the championship programme for the 2021-2024 quadrennium after the IOC decision on 10 June 2021.
