SAILING COULD BE NEXT FOR AXE

Former Olympian and millionaire businessman Neil Pryde has warned sailing is in danger of being kicked out of the Olympics as the fallout continues from the controversial decision to dump windsurfing in favour of kiteboarding for the 2016 Games.

Pryde says the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has made a terrible and unfathomable decision and accused it of “selfishness”. “The ISAF is represented by all member countries and most come from the yacht brigade. What they have done is to safeguard their narrow interests and sacrificed windsurfing. What they don’t realise is the whole sport of sailing is in danger of being kicked out of the Olympics,” said the 71-year-old Pryde, whose name is attached to the RSX windsurfing discipline which will be seen for the last time at the London Olympics.

“From a business perspective it doesn’t impact me as I will continue to provide the sailing equipment. But from a personal point of view, I think it is a terrible decision for the sport of sailing as a whole. It’s an absolute disgrace.”

His business interests allow him free access to the corridors of power in the sailing world and Pryde was present two years ago at an ISAF council meeting in Athens when the move began to get kiteboarding into the Olympics as a separate discipline.

Pryde said: “Originally the idea was for sailing to ask for another medal at the Olympics by introducing kiteboarding. There was no talk of replacing windsurfing, but somehow, over the years, things have evolved and with the number of athletes at the Olympics being restricted, this has unfortunately occurred.

“While kiteboarding is a great sport, it is quite immature. There is no structure, no organisation and no youth development. And the plan was to introduce kiteboarding by the 2020 Games, not in 2016. Fast-forwarding a still developing sport is totally ridiculous.”

By Alvin Sallay, South China Morning Post 
May 13, 2012